Curiosity Killed The Cat,Well We Hope Not(Markus)

[Blair Winters]

Blair was exhausted to say the least drained to the core was more like it. Her hunt of the evil spirits took a lot out of the vivacious huntress…. She had no clue why a spirit would haunt an old abandoned cabin in the middle of the godforsaken dump. As you could tell, Blair wasn’t too keen on the New Orleans Bayou. Not that nature was bad just…the bayou was an whole other creature to her normality of vast plains.

So here she was in the bayou…the very nasty bayou in her opinion…No offense to anything living in there but the smell was unbearable to say the least. Blair could never describe how It smells since it is so unique…The water was a whole another avenue….invested with things that could eat you. Not to mention snakes…..those wriggly slimy creatures. She shuddered at the thought of snakes, ”Those slimy bastards…”

The Ghost huntress paused her walking for a moment to touch the oozing wound from her side…In all her gracefulness she fell onto something really sharp. With all her luck she would have to get the oh so wonderful tetanus shot. Oh the joy that would bring…Not.

If she didn’t move her bee hide…she would end up trekking through the bayou during the night which was a big No-No around these parts. Well I mean you could stick around and become alligator food. However she knew she would never make it out in time, Blair found herself lost in the vast New Orleans Bayou. Her attention snapped to the task on hand find shelter. After a little bit of walking she found some hope…A cabin…It looked okay…a little weathered. But why was a cabin all the way out here?

Blair was in a cautioned state when she made her way towards her shining hope….It could be some crazy ass redneck living there with traps of different assortments around the place. The little woman fingered her silver rosary and kissed the cross, a ritual for her when she was unsure about something.On the rickety wood walkway she said a silent prayer… the wood creaked with each step…

However with her keen eye she saw something was on the porch…was it a heap of clothing? When the distance between the object and her got closer, Blair realized it was a man passed out face down on the porch. Worried something was wrong with him the little woman knelt beside him. Placing her cowboy hat in close proximity to her Blair sniffed the air the man smelled of straight up booze…She had come to the conclusion that he had passed out due to alcohol not medical issues. Which was a really huge relief.

Out of the curious nature of herself Blair gently touched the man’s arm. Just like a kid with a stick…she prodded him again. He shouldn’t be laying out on the porch due to all the nasty creatures that could eat him. Once again the curious one prodded the man..but this time a little more harder. Blair hoped that he wasn't some weirdo playing a trick on her.

"Come on Sir, I don't want gators having a snack of ya." she said in a gentle whisper.

As a last resort Blair struggled to flip him over on his back.She didn't weigh much and well he was heavier than her. Once the man was on his back Blair observed him. He was obviously older than her gathering from multiple things that popped out at her.The man was easy on the eyes, yes his face was scarred but who didn't have scars? Blair didn't care and really didn't notice she was raised to ignore such things. We all know whether scars on the inside or outside everyone had them.....

Something glistened in the sun....It caught her curious eye...it was a metal chain something too familiar to her. It was dog tags something her Father worn for a very long time.... Her eyes traveled down his chest where she carefully picked up the I.D tags to read them. His name was Markus Ransom that is all she read before something distracted her.

[Markus Ransom]

Oh joy, he was dreaming about that dungeon again. As if he didn’t already enough reminders ever single time he passed a piece of reflecting glass…oh NO, his subconscious had to keep on kicking him in the balls. His unconscious mind watched the gory details of his imprisonment with an almost clinical air; absent, weary, detached. He used to flail around, those damn emotions suffocating him, forcing him back into the terror of the memory…

But not anymore. How his shrinks would drool over the ability to tackle THAT one. With his luck, he was probably turning into a sociopath, or some kind of emotionless wreck.

…Then again, the whole ‘emotionless’ thing would be a really appreciated. Which was, he supposed, where the booze came in.

Slowly, his mind began to rise from the bloody dreams that had kept him company. He tasted something nasty on the back of his tongue and felt the hard wood of his deck under his ass. Damn, had he fallen out of the rocker a-freaking-gain? He’d always prided himself on his ability to hold his own goddamn liquor, but lately, he’d been acting like ‘ol Drunk Uncle Marty and passing out all over the damn place. With his goddamn luck, he’d fall into the goddamn swamp and drown his goddamn self—

As he slowly came back to reality, Markus began to realize two very important things. One, the hard metal of his gun was jabbing a damn hole in the small of his back…and two, there was someone looming above him.

Someone who had not been invited, as far as he could tell. And, more importantly, -someone who had managed to get passed all of his paranoid-survivalist defenses. So, it was really understandable that the first thing that popped into his liquor and sleep fogged brain was ENEMY.

As a slender hand came out to lightly pick up the dog tags on his chest, the eye not currently covered by a pirate-like patch popped open and narrowed with deadly intent. Out of pure instinct, the soldier snapped a hand up to intercept the foreign appendage, use surprise and weight leverage to yank it forward, and roll until his enemy was pinned beneath him.

The movement caused the ruined muscles in his side scream in agony, but all those years of training kept it separated from the part of his brain that wanted to live. With a flash of metal in the sunlight, he slid a knife out from the sheath at his side- ‘be armed or die easy’ was his motto- and pressed it against the supple throat beneath him. In his mind’s eye, he saw a fellow soldier; armed, snarling, ready to kill, and HELL if he’d survived a year in a dungeon and three being tagged a traitor, only to get offed by his own stupidity!

Anger, intent, benevolence and a predatory snarl flashed on and off of his face as he focused down on the blurry face beneath him. Anger that, as the enemy soldier’s visage began to morph itself into a young woman, turned an about face and shimmied right into its shock pants.

Good God almighty, WHAT THE FUCK?

“What the fuck?” As if the world needed to know the magnitude of his utter surprise, the words burst from his chest with a vengeance. Sure, soldiers were getting younger everyday, and he wouldn’t put it past a merc to use her natural charms to kill some drunken vet…but fuck, man, even if she was an enemy soldier, he didn’t lie on top of women! Well, not in this context, at least!

With another curse- and another scream of pain from the muscles in his leg- Markus jerked himself to his feet. He kept his knife out, just in case, and made sure his arm was loose and ready to grab for the gun in the holster at his back.

“I’d apologize for that if you weren’t trespassing on my property,” He snarled. Instinctively, given what had to be surprise and/or fear on the woman’s- hell with that; the kid’s- face, he turned his own slightly to the right, as if to hide the scars that marred it. “What the fuck do you want, and why the fuck are you here? Answer me quick before I decide to save a trip to the phone and kick your ass myself.”

[Blair Winters]

Her bleeding side had brought her attention off the passed out man. It was throbbing with pain, each second was a different variety of pain. It was still oozing out blood which was always a bad thing.

Her left hand gripped the wound trying to at least pause the blood for a moment. During this Blair did not notice the man was stirring well staring at her with a intent so deadly like a hunter towards its prey.

Her Father would be disappointed in her for not using all the tactics he taught her. Oh Lordy she could even imagine hearing his speech.Sometimes she wished she had bad memory.
Right as Blair turned her attention back on the glimmering metal a hand snatched out and grabbed her wrist yanking it forward...


Causing her to go in that same motion. She let out a little eep before they rolled again and eventually this Markus person was on top of her. Blair was underneath and no fancy damn moods will be able to get her out. Well she could in a miracle reach for her gun but that didn’t seem like a good idea at the moment. It was out of her reach anyways.....

Freaking Fantastic, every single time she attempted to help someone it came back to bite her in the ass.

Shock was written all over her face maybe a little pinch of fear. Oh Boy she was SCREWED. Blair laid still and jerked slightly when she saw the reflecting light off a knife a BIG knife which was held to her throat.Pausing her breathing to avoid any accidental cuts.

A variety of expression went on the man’s face he was making a war face. Her Daddy showed her once when she was thirteen least just say it scared the crap outta her and for awhile she did not dare to talk to him for a few days…

Blair just laxly laid there waiting for him to wake the hell up and get off her. A dawning confused look came across his face. Then words came out….in a burst of surprise or what not, “What the fuck?”

She scrunched up her face in confusion why was he the one surprised? Blair should be the one saying that……She was the one underneath him after trying to HELP him…..People can be sooooo rude these days….


Suddenly with another curse and a yelp of pain he suddenly push himself on his feet. His knife was still in his hand and his other arm was loose as if ready to grab the gun behind his back…. How the hell does she get herself into these predicaments?

“I’d apologize for that if you weren’t trespassing on my property,” He growled..

"Oh How Nice of Him,"The little woman thought,"Not."

Blair was still laying on the porch seemingly rolling her eyes at his statement. Her eyes darted to the left and right looking for the hat she put down which was no where in site.In the struggle it must had landed in the water.The woman sat up and peered into the water seeing her lovely white cowboy hat floating in the water. Just GREAT….

Her eyes darted to the man as she plucked it out of the bayou and she stood to her feet.In the process shaking her cowboy hat of the remnants of the gross bayou…

The man turned his face to hide his scarred side from her….What was the point she already saw it?


Markus continued on, “What the fuck do you want, and why the fuck are you here? Answer me quick before I decide to save a trip to the phone and kick your ass myself.”

Blair clicked her tongue at the audacity of his remarks.She still held onto her side….hoping she’d get out of here real fast.Her anger stirred as she tapped her hat on her hip and her boot tapped the walkway. ”Jeesh city slickers are as friendly as fire ants…What I want now? To get the fuck outta here….“ she said with a roll of her accent.

Blair shifted before continuing on what she had to say ,“Goddamn what I wanted was some help….I‘d rather not pass out and died in the bayou…” she held her bloody hand up for all to see. “Ya were passed out and god forbid I show some concern on whether you were okay or not…. Instead you rolled on top of me and held a knife to my throat……So why are you snarling at me? I should be the one pissed…I've done zip to ya.” she said with a little bit of attitude.

'Woah settle down there hot shot...He is already agitated.Do ya really wanna know what his super pissed mood is like?' she thought to herself.

Blair coughed and fanned herself with her hat. Trying to hide the embarrassment from her face,"I'm sorry for that I left my manners at my house apparently."

[Markus Ransom]

Man, if he wasn’t careful, he’d start making people think they should call animal services, with all the deep throated growls that were working out of his throat. Why in all that was holy did he always find society’s unwanted tromping onto his front steps? First, it was a runaway, then a few drunk teenagers…now this kid, with a bloody side and a smart mouth. He’d freaking come out on the bayou for a REASON, people.

Oh, the urge to start posting ‘trespass and die’ all over his property was almost too much to ignore. Not to mention the itch to upgrade his already paranoid boobytraps around the cottage.

But, he had to hand it to the young woman; she had balls, facing his snarling ass with that snarky tone. Too bad that it didn’t do much for his overall disposition. City slickers his ass…

“Yeah, and kids have about as much brains as my fuckin’ boots. Don’t answer why you’re here.” He growled, doing his best to glare, even when a scream of alarm tore through him at sight of the blood on her hand.

Great, awesome, WONDERFUL, she was fucking wounded. What the hell if she died on his doorstep? Or passed out? He fucking HATED having the ambulance come through, because it messed up his surveillance like a bitch. Not to mention that if she died, he’d have to deal with aching muscles after he buried the body. Then again, the gators did love a bit of bloody meat…

“Sure as fuck done ‘shit’ for me, lady. Next time you need help, use your goddamn cell phone. Shouldn’t even be out on my property to begin with. So shut the fuck up while I get the goddamn phone and I’ll call you a goddamn ambulance.”

Oh yeah, he’d sure done a stint in the army. But, unfortunately for everyone, his ‘manners’ had died a sorrowful little death in the muggy jungle. He couldn’t help the bitter smirk at that comment, absently wondering why she hadn’t babbled at him in shock, like other people did when they saw his face for the first time.

What the hell ever; she must have watched lots of monster movies as a kid. Big fucking whoop.

“Just say there,” He said again, turning to limp toward the front door. “And sit, before you bleed all over my porch.”

His cane was waiting right inside, but he refused to use the damn thing unless he was liable to passed out from the pain. Keeping his senses open- can’t be too careful these days- he snatched up the land line from the table inside, and shoved his way back onto the porch. From underneath one of the rickety rocking chairs on the other side, he yanked out a little canopy bag, from which he produced a battered first aid kit.

After getting drunk off his ass and smacking his forehead on the damn railing one too many times, he’d kept one or two of the kits in every part of the place. Checking to make sure that it was full, he undid the little metal lock and tossed it at her.

“Here, use that. You got anyone I should call?”

[Blair Winters]

Just freaking fantastic why did she have to stumble upon him? He was an jerk, she was surprised he wasn't a snake all venomous words spewing out of his mouth. He was a very bitter angry man the back of her mind wondered why. Was is the scars on his face the cause of his hateful demeanor? She was curious but she was not freaking stupid, well I guess that's debatable...

Blair did her best to maintain her calm aura.Trying to bite her tongue from saying something back. Hell why would she do that? She did not need to have a brawl with a angry man with a gun in knife that my friend was a very bad combo. He seemed to falter when she showed her bloody hand her head curiously tilted.Maybe there was something good under all that snarling.

“Yeah, and kids have about as much brains as my fuckin’ boots. Don’t answer why you’re here.” he snarled yet again.

Too bad she moved out of the kid stage a very long time ago..Damn, you trying being and a foster home then thrust onto a ranch to take care of livestock...It drained the kid right out of you. Blair still tapped her boots to his ramblings...Oy did this man tick her off...

“Sure as fuck done ‘shit’ for me, lady. Next time you need help, use your goddamn cell phone. Shouldn’t even be out on my property to begin with. So shut the fuck up while I get the goddamn phone and I’ll call you a goddamn ambulance.” he stated.

Yeah she would have used her cellphone if there was freaking cell reception in this god damn hell hole of water. Blair huffed and keep her trap shut. Damn Asshole...She watched as a grievous smirk came across his face...She couldn't help but wondered what he was thinking about.

“Just say there,” he said again. He turned before limping to his front door, “And sit, before you bleed all over my porch.”

Blair nodded her head and listened to him by sitting down on the porch before her. Phew, thank god he was calling for help her ass got a little worried for a second. As she waited Blair looked around the surroundings as she waited on him. She even peeked over the edge of the porch and saw a frog enjoying his time in the water. Probably the only animal in the bayou she would ever get near..

Blair's attention to the amphibian was cut short when Markus came out of the house with a phone in his hand. By the looks of it he was retrieving something from underneath his rocking chair. A magical first aid kit which he tossed to her.

“Here, use that. You got anyone I should call?” he asked.

Blair caught it and graciously nodded her head. She pondered that question did she really have anyone to call? Nope. Well she could call Joe and get bitched at for being clumsy...but she wasn't in the mood for that. Plus she barely any friends...her gift kind of scared them off or her Bi Polar tendencies before her medication.

“Thank You, and No, no one to call.” she stated with a sorrowful frown.


Man oh man did she need to get friends....she glanced at the water again something moved near the side of Markus' house...she squinted at the water again...

It was a man gun. With a freaking shot gun.....Damn they had caught up to her that fast?Blair thought she lost them awhile ago every where she went she seemed to have them following her.

Where was his buddies? She glanced at Markus nervously and mouthed “behind you” to him. The one behind Markus stepped out of the coverage of plants even though there was water between him and the house Blair was dead as a door nail if he shot at her.


“Just give us the Witch, the heathen needs to burn! She is an abomination in the eyes of the Holy One! If you choose to protect her you are dead just as she's gonna be.” the shooter stated loudly.

Panic hit her....how the hell was she supposed to get away? She couldn't hit these guys before one of them killed her.An idea hit her mind and Blair looked at Markus with pleading eyes she prayed that he would help her.



(OOC :Just let me know if this is okay. If not I have an alternative ending.}

[Markus Ransom]

Of course there wasn’t anybody to fuckin’ call. He was just Markus the Nurse, and dammit, he’d now have to put up with her presence until the ambulance came. Maybe he could call in a favor and get in an air lift? Damn, no, that wouldn’t work. The bayou was too wide and his place was full of those weeping willow trees. No copter could get in without shredding its blades.

Which means that, for the next half hour or so, he’d have to play nice with the kid. Woman…whatever. Awesome, given he’d been on his own for so long, he wasn’t sure he knew how to carry on polite conversation anymore.

Well, definitely a way to start; get rid of the fucking F-bombs. Like that one. Fuck. No, fuck, wait…aw crap, man. This was gonna be a long morning.

…Especially when that frown turned so damn sad. Aw hell, no emotion, no emotion, no…damn. There he was; feeling sorry for sounding like an asshole. Okay, he could definitely do small talk until the bus got here. He could! He would ask her…uh…

“You get bloody often, or is today just our lucky day?” The question slid from his mouth and he inwardly groaned. Dammit, not THAT. He was such an asshole.

With a sigh, he raised one scarred hand up to rub at his temples, an apology practically burning the skin off of his lips. But- to be happy, or not to be happy- before he could force the words out, the world proceeded to go to hell in a hand basket.

Just leave it to a pretty face to bring all sorts of trouble with her. He just hadn’t learned from Casablanca. Dammit.

As Blair’s face turned ashen and she mouthed a warning, every instinct in Markus’ body screamed to attention. Something was going down, and given the fear on his guest’s face, he wasn’t about to be visited by the President for an apology. With practiced ease, he flipped out the same knife he’d pressed to the woman’s throat only moments before, spun around and hauled the fucker clinging to the side of his house over the porch railing and brought the blade down into his shoulder.

God, that fucking HURT! His leg was screaming from the weight he was forced to put on it, but he ignored the pain. The soldier below howled in pain, but a backhand across the jaw had him saying goodnight to reality.

He didn’t look at Blair; didn’t have to. There were enemy soldiers on his turf, in his territory, and whether or not the woman had brought some steaming shit into his living room, they had to be taken care of. Poor schmucks had no clue who they were dealing with, did they?

“Oh, now there’s a threat I haven’t heard before,” He called out, making sure that he was blocking the woman from sight. He motioned for her to head into his house, thinking they could make it to the com center before the place got shot up. He had all kinds of booby traps hidden around the yard, and with one little press of a button…

Bye bye, birdies.

“Let me give you guys a piece of advice that your buddy here would’ve appreciated; get the FUCK off my property and I’ll let you live. For a little while.”

That said, he shoved Blair toward the door while making a dive for the hidden floor on the porch. Yanking it open, he smiled into the little hole and produced some of the babies that made him famous in the Underground world. AK-47 with dual action grenade launchers were just SO in this season, he thought with a laugh. Ignoring the burn, he swung himself upright, gun braced securely in his arms, and let loose a string of fire toward the schmuck across the bayou.

“Just in case you didn’t hear me before; GET THE FUCK OFF MY PROPERTY!”

[Blair Winters]

What were they going to do while they wait? She was definitely not going to talk to him..she'd rather pet a snake or probably kiss one. Definitely pet. Well it was probably going to be a little bit of waiting so it wouldn't be so bad.

Well she hoped it wasn't going to be...Her eyes darting over to him then back to the wood walkway. Oh boy this is gonna be fun...as much as paint drying. I guess she could technically socialize with him...but all he would do was swear at her...

Golly she would be rich by now if she started charging him twenty five cents for every swear. Damn where was a bar of soap when you needed it.

He was still hiding his scarred part from her. I mean she could tell him it didn't bother her one bit but that would probably open up a whole new can of worms. Blair just sighed and unbuttoned her shirt of course there was something underneath no lady undressed in front of an unknown man...

She raised her undershirt up to clean the wound and at least stop the bleeding for a little while. Once she was finished her undershirt was put in place and her shirt was buttoned

Once again Blair's eyes darted to Markus....can we say awkward? I mean what was he doing just standing there...he could say something...well maybe not a string of swears.

When he finally said something it was not what she had wanted but it was at least something..

“You get bloody often, or is today just our lucky day?” Markus blurted out. He seemed disappointed in what he said well he did sigh and rub his temples.

Blair frowned...well gosh how to answer that one. “No, are you always such a dick or is today my lucky day?” She gave him an raised eyebrow to match her sarcasm.

Oh boy she was such a jerk but he deserved something back. “ You know ya haven't even asked me my name yet. That would probably be a start ya know,” Blair said in a light whisper.

Before she could say anything else Religious nuts ruined the party. Blair watched Markus use the same knife that was just at her throat slam into one of the welcomed members shoulder. She closed her eyes and flinched she felt sorry for those poor bastards..they messed with her on the wrong day.

Markus called out something but Blair was too much in shock to move. He was saving her, something she thought he would never do. Blair reached for her gun in her boot and bolted up. Markus blocked her from psychos sight man she was going to owe him a lot. He motioned her to go inside and Blair immediately listened him and bolted to the door before he once again shouted something. Then a shove to make her go in quicker...

Blair looked around and hid behind a case in the living room. She stayed there until it got quiet from the weapon firing. Her eyes peered at the case....what the hell did that say bazooka? Oh lordy it did...why the hell would he need that?

Then she stood and saw more weapons neatly placed somewhere....oh God...who's house did she stumble upon. Well at least it was neat...and really clean props to him....

Well she could tell one thing he was single...the large TV, an xbox , nothing feminine at all in site and ...well an ugly recliner. He was definitely in the military at some point he had ogles of memorabilia on the wall. Blair got closer to one thing that caught her attention a shadowbox with his medals...she got closer and touched the glass....

He was a Marine, a 2nd Second Lieutenant...Is that where he got his scars from?

[Markus Ransom]

There were just some days that made a man regret getting out of bed in the morning, and this was REALLY turning out to be one of them. After emptying his clip into a tree that one of the fuckers was hiding behind, Markus limped inside, slamming the heavy, steel infused front door closed.

Goddamn, he knew with one glance in the little girl’s direction that she was going to be trouble, and he was not disappointed. Just once…ONCE, he would love to have a normal morning. Get up, drink his sludge-coffee, clean his guns and make a few sales. All quiet-like and peaceful; that’s what he needed.

Of course he got bullets flying through the windows before he could slam his fist down on the button near the door. With a screech and a slam, all of the windows in the house were promptly covered by three inches of plate steel. Hopefully, the fuckers outside didn’t have armor piercing rounds, but he doubted it. Those crazies were shouting something about ‘heathens’ which didn’t put them in the professional-military category. Thank you Jesus.

Chucking the now empty gun into a basket nearby, Markus turned around to glare at the little troublemaker currently taking stock of his living room. What, was she sizing up what she could steal? Good luck trying to carry the boxes out of the house, he thought absently, checking the action outside through a peep hole in one of the windows. She looked like a strong wind could blow her over.

”I fucking knew I should’ve kicked you off my lawn when I first saw you,” He grumbled, moving across the living room toward a hidden door in the back. Sliding his easy chair over with a grunt of discomfort, he pressed his hand against what looked like bare wall, ignored the burn from the scan beyond and stepped back as the door swung open. The room inside was teaming with computer monitors, surveillance, various buttons and a cot over to the side.

What? A guy as wanted as him could have one or two safe rooms…hell yeah, man.

As bullets hit the metal surrounding the house, the ex-Marine hurried into the room and sat down at the little chair in front of the monitors. “Idiots have no common sense, not listening to what I said. So, woman,” Without turning around, he addressed her. ”You gonna tell me what the fuck is going on, and why the fuck they want you so bad? It’d help me with pushing these buttons here, y’see. If I like what I hear, I’ll help you live another day. If I don’t?”

Now he did turn around, a gun in his lap and a scowl on his face. ”I’ll save those guys the trouble and cap you right now. Start talking.”

[Blair Winters]

Blair blinked out of her hypnosis from the shadowbox when Markus limped in and slammed the door. God Lord she needed to get out of la la land before it got her killed or at least bitched at by McGrump. Slipping her revolver back into her boot Blair peered over at Markus who pushed a button which sealed the windows with steel.

Holy Mother Of God, was this gonna be her tomb? Why would someone need that on there house? Her leg bumped into a grenade box which made her jump. Holy shit...why would he need all those weapons? Especially when he was more moody than her on a good day...


Her eyes nervously glanced around there's gotta be a way out...as soon as he lifted that steel plates and the gunfire stopped this little thing was outta the ballpark.... Man why did he make her so nervous? He was unpredictable that's why...usually she could thumb a person in a couple seconds but sweet Jesus, he was a ping pong ball.

But one thing she did know, stay off his fucking lawn...


Even though he was mean and bitter Markus did help her in a way which meant she had to make it up to him in some way...ugh which probably meant...spending time with him. Blair groaned and looked over at him...shit....she would rather get bit by a snake...least that venom would knock her out.

But what was a girl to do? Those Jerks outside were dead set against her normally she could shoot straight but the blood loss from her wounds make her hands shake...Blair jumped when her OH so friendly savior, chucked his gun into a basket. He even had time to glare at her...just fantastic.

Blair couldn't help but put a scowl on her face and secretly stick her tongue out at him. Thank God he was peeking at the window...Blair turned to say something to him when Markus grumbled out something. Her jaw tensed immediately to his words, “Yeah and I should of left ya knocked out on your porch ya lush.”

Secretly she watched him move about his living room, he slid an easy chair over with a grunt and he put his hand against a wall. What in damnation was he doing? Then the wall swung open, Blair was speechless...he had a safe room? Why would he need that....maybe he was just paranoid...

Blair ignored the bullets hitting the metal...the pings were nothing to shotgun blasts. Her father would get drunk and often go out in the woods hunting 'commies', it used to freak the shit out of her but she had gotten used to it. As Markus sat in a chair in front of monitors he addressed her. His words were less than calming, but it brought out her nerves again. Then Markus turned around with a gun in his lap, he gave her a choice to live or die.

Hell Blair loved living...so here she was about to spill her guts. The little woman cautiously moved closer to him and sat on the ground to face him. To show the truth you must speak it clearly and well look someone in the soul. She cleared her throat, “Well those men are from an extremist church in Baton Rouge they set their sites on me since I set up shop in New Orleans. I'm a well know Trance Medium in the area..and well according to Corinthians and to them I'm a demon..Plus I killed one of there members in San Antone, a year ago...whoops. “

Blair shrugged and raised an eyebrow at him, “That's it, If I get shot for tellin' the truth...you are an asshole.”

[Markus Ransom]

“Right now, I wish you’d had left me knocked out,” He muttered under his breath, eyeing the security screens over his shoulder. “Could still be sleeping right now. Fuck it all.”

With that same snarl set on his scarred features, Markus turned back to the tiny woman to glare. She did have a nice set of cajones if she was sitting there, in the face of his wrath, and not shaking in her boots. He’d dealt with warlords, psychopaths and fellow arms dealers who couldn’t sit still in front of him when he put the angry look on his face. Yet, here was this little slip of a girl, who looked like she was ready to smack him upside the head just for kicks.

Was that respect uncurling in his chest? Nah, had to be heartburn.

A nasty little smile curved the normal half of his face at her last comment. Him? An asshole? Well, wasn’t she the most observant apple in the bunch. Caressing the gun on his thigh, he tilted his head, mind playing through the story she’d just told.

Okay, trance medium, demons and religious nuts…definitely something different than his usual world-wide crisis. He could honestly say that he’d never come across a damsel like this one. Now, whether he was happy or sad about it was still up in the air…but he was definitely pissed off either way.

Rubbing at his scarred eye for a minute, Markus sighed. What to do, what to do…sanity called for shoving her out the front door and cutting his losses. If any of those morons managed to get passed the iron-fitted door and went all Rambo on their asses, his entire shipment would be compromised…and, oh yeah, he’d be dead. They didn’t want him, and all this attention that the shack was getting was sure to call in the authorities.

As an arms dealer, he wasn’t exactly a fan of the local PD. So fuck, what was he going to do?

“You know, this’ gotta be the first time anyone’s claimed to be psychic to get me to help ‘em out of a jam,” He finally grumbled. Whirling the chair around, he reverted his attention to the screens. The most cost efficient mode of action was to get rid of the morons with the guns, then take care of the woman.

In his new world, business always came first. He’d deal with the ‘compassion’ shit later.

Flipping up a few plastic coverings, the ex-Marine started to push buttons on a newly uncovered console. Lights flashed, pieces of earth moved around the bayou, and with some very panicked screams, the guys outside were introduced to a paranoid arms dealer’s version of security. Machine guns slid out from under water and through hidden cracks in the earth, spraying bullets everywhere. Low grade heat seeking missiles were launched, blowing the ones across the river back into the forest beyond. And, just for some finishing touches, every single one of the windows and doors in the shack became immediately electrified, frying the lucky schmucks who made it to his porch.

Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms behind his head and watched as the blood bath unfolded before him. Without turning around, he addressed the woman, his voice oddly amused.
“You gotta love a good horror flick. I wonder if I should make popcorn.”

[Blair Winters]

Blair just had to cluck at his comment...shit she wished he was knocked too. Hell, she wished she had never gone to that abandoned cabin... Damn she was a trouble magnet.

Anywhere Blair went some kind of drama would follow. Of course her hands laid in the hands of a man who's sanity is quite questionable...and has a lot of guns. Why he had them she had no clue and deep inside she never wanted to find out.


Some things were better left in the dark.


Blair just sat there on his floor in all his grumpiness...in all truth she was used to it. Her father was grumpy as hell and snarling...but she knew her father couldn't help it..He wasn't affectionate but she knew deep down he cared for him. His way of saying I love you was asking her to do chores with him and asking her to help him fix his car. Love didn't have to be shown through words...it could be a silent gesture that two people understood.

As she pleaded her case she could feel other presences in the room..they were putting things into her head about the man....horrible things. Her heart felt heavy about knowing this before he tol her. Blair tilted her at the man...Blair knew of her father's agony...it was not as much as this man.

A lot of the dead hovered around him wanting to talk to him...but in her heart she knew he was not ready for what they had to say. This man needed time and Blair would graciously do that even though the ghosts would probably bugged the shit out of her.

Blair watched the man think over what she had told him. He was processing all of it she knew by the eye rubbing. When Markus made a decision he grumbled something out...and that response made her groan... She really was a psychic and one that hated being called a fraud...there must be a chance to prove it...In a blip of a moment something popped into her head...Malaysia.

When his back was once again in her face Blair heard sounds of panels flipping. That made the curious medium get up and peek over his shoulder on his right side...Oh she knew he wouldn't like it but he could bite her for all she cared. She heard the screams of the men and cringed...they were suckered into doing this...the one who was to blamed was probably in there nice home sipping tea...

Markus remark didn't help but then again he was probably used to death. The little medium stared at him. He might not be able to see out of the right side but probably feel her eyes on him. A whisper left her mouth, “ Be respectful to the dead...for you don't want someone eating popcorn when you die.”

Her eyes wandered to the control panel like it was a shiny diamond and oooh and awed. Heh, she was raised by a man's man was this a surprise? She pointed to a pink looking button, “What does that one do?”

Blair glanced at him again before stepping back a little. Her eyes peeked back at the weapon arsenal in his living room, “You know ya never told me who you are....and what you are doing way out in the bayou. I never told you who I was either.”

She stood proudly and took off her cowboy hat, her accent heavy with that old San Antone swagger, “ I'm Blair Winters, trance medium cowgirl extraordinaire. I like Pina Coladas and Rainy Days.”

Blair chuckled before putting her hat on and continuing, “ May I ask sir who ya are?”

[Markus Ransom]

Ah, the sound of war in the morning. It was enough to make any bloodthirsty guy sit up and give thanks to the Gods of Weaponry. Steepling his fingers on his chest, Markus watched the chaos outside through the monitors in front of him, emotionlessly calculating the efficiency of each booby trap. He’d spent so long planning them and setting them out, so this was such a treat! He’d never gotten the chance to test them out, and with one little mildly annoying bump in his usual schedule, he’d been granted just that. Damn, but those little missiles packed a punch. He hoped that the local wildlife wasn’t affected…

The sounds of someone moving behind him had him instinctively tensing, until he reminded himself of the woman in the cabin. Gah, it was almost enough to make him burst out into random laughter; the fact that, of course, the first woman he’d allowed into the cabin was being hunted by a band of religious zealots. No, he hadn’t brought a date home to get jiggy with it…he’d attracted a victim.

Someone Upstairs was really getting their jollies with this one. Oh, how he hated life.

At her remark to his earlier comment, the arms dealer couldn’t help but chuckle. “Baby, I’ve had guys eat worse things than popcorn while watching me die,” He drawled, smile turning a bit nasty. He didn’t have to point to the scars on his face and neck; she probably had a feeling that he hadn’t been born looking like a Two Face wanna-be.

For four long weeks, he’d been tortured by that shit warlord, watching his men torn apart and his own dignity shredded. He’d endured fires, knives, drills…and other things he had yet to let himself remember, while his jailors had done worse things than sit down at eat popcorn. Call this his own cosmic retribution, but he could give a shit about the schmucks outside.

And if little Miss Goody-Goddy Psychic had a problem with it? She could go play tea party with her friends outside.

Before her finger could make contact with the button- or attempt to; he didn’t know her, so he’d assume the worst- his hand snapped up and closed around her wrist. Almost immediately, as if the touch burned him, he dropped her hand and swiveled in his seat to face her again.

“That’d be the cabin’s self destruct button, so don’t touch that,” He growled, his good eye squinting up at her. “And hell, I didn’t tell you ‘cause it ain’t none of your damn business. Nor do I care who you are…aw, hell. Now I can’t forget you ever existed, after I kill your friends outside. Damn.”

Though his words were harsh, there was a brief hint of surprise in his eye at her introduction. And, after a bit of grumbling under his breath, he forced a polite nod. “Yeah, nice to meet you or what the fuck ever. Just call me Markus…your resident Black Knight in Shining Armor. Now, can we shut up and watch the carnage? I wanna see how those landmines do on morons…”

[Blair Winters]

When Blair moved to go towards the little room she saw his body tense in reaction. So she shifted her direction so she wasn’t directly behind him. However the tone of the room calmed down a bit but it was awkward as hell but better than having a gun pointed at her. Her eyes watched the monitors with intensity hoping those suckers were dead already and not suffering.

Her mind wandered to other things spinning in her head. Oh man this was going to be a bitch to explain in confessional. ..well I think I can skip this one.

Her thoughts were broken when Mr. Doom and Gloom man chuckled at her remark. Instantly she tensed up and stared at his good eye, what in hell was she going to say to that? But all she could do was give him a pain filled look of sorrow and understanding. Blair hoped he got what she couldn’t express. Sometimes saying nothing was better than words but then again he was crabby and he could take it the wrong way. Oy, this man was a pain in the ass.

When she pointed for the pink button his hand gripped around her wrist and as quickly as he did that he let go. Blair peered at him and brought her wrist to her chest. The little woman even grumbled at him before all the sudden he swiveled in his chair to face her. Oh boy what now? Don’t breathe on me?

He once again growled out his words and she frowned at him. His manners were horrid and he swore like a sailor at her. She glanced over at his lazy boy chair and he had bad decorating tastes. Blair placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow at him. Oh she would whip his butt if she could… She just shrugged off his tude and introduced herself with her special brand of peppiness.

The little woman waited for his response and she relaxed a little bit and crossed her arms. After some minor grumbling he nodded at her and spoke. She chuckled a little bit on the inside and a small smirk went across her face,“Well Markus, It is nice to meet you in such interesting circumstances.”

She continued on and a frown replaced the smirk, “ I think ya know what a land mine does already….Besides those poor saps are dead I can feel it just whatever do it…I gotta sit down.”

Then she did something really out of character she swore before flopping on the couch, “ I always hated fucking Mondays.”

Blair turned her head over to look at him and down to her bandaged wound. It was still bleeding those damn guys outside made her trip and of course she fell on a sharp object. She grimaced when something was making sitting uncomfortable and she pulled out the butterfly knife that was in her cowboy boot. The medium tossed it on the floor infront of her, “Forgot I had that.”

Blair tensed up and smiled at him innocently.... Oy this was gonna be a long day.

[Markus Ransom]

Well, when Markus had made that comment about his face, he hadn't meant for her to go all soft on him. He just HATED it when people did that pity crap...as if they could understand what he went through. None of them living in this God forsaken country could understand what he'd given up, what he'd sacrificed--

But he wasn't going to go there. Usually, that line of thought was followed by a fist through a wall and a good bottle of whiskey, and now wasn't the time for any of that. He had to make sure that the rabid fuckers outside stayed outside, and the girl...well, he hadn't decided where he wanted her just yet. Half of him said 'throw her out onto the porch, to teach her what happens when tresspassing on private property,' while the other just rolled its eyes and sighed 'oh shut up, you old fart and play the knight for once.'

He hated being conflicted; it was so damn confusing. He'd just go with his gut and take care of the consequences when they fell on his goddamn head.

With a sigh as she spoke, Markus eyed the little control room. When she plopped down onto a couch, he bit back a sigh of relief. Looking up at her made his neck crack in all kinds of uncomfortable ways, and it was hard to concentrate on her face with his good eye as it was. He didn't want to sound like a pussy, but he was old and he was saving her life, dammit. He was allowed.

"Just make yourself at home," He muttered, turning around to watch the monitors. He watched the scene for a few minutes before grumbling to himself. "Christ, how many fuckers were after you, Blair? An entire friggin' army? I'm gonna be out of boobie traps by the end of this."

And whatever else he said was immediately cut off when she pulled out the knife. Going instantly tense, he slowly swiveled back around in his chair and frowned at her, eyes narrowed. Oh, he wanted to go bang his head on the nearest wall! He'd let her into his home- distractions aside- and fucking didn't fucking frisk her! What if she were with the morons outside? What if this were a trick? What if she were with one of his competitors and was trying to weasel her way past his defenses? His mind was practically whirring with possibilities and threats, and slowly, he rose to his feet.

At his full height, he glared down at her, hands loose at his sides. His voice was deceptively calm, as he let his eye trail over her now seated form. "If you're carrying any other kind of weapons, I suggest you put them on the table with the knife. Now...stand up. I forgot that I usually greet guests with a body search. I hope you don't got a problem with that."

[Blair Winters]

In times like this Blair really wished she had a pina colada in her hand and she was magically teleported to a nice beach in Mexico. She snorted as that would never happen…nor will she ever visit Mexico after that last visit. Back in reality she glanced at Markus and studied his mannerisms as she sat down in a seat.

It was not long before familiar chill brushed her neck...Her eyes peered over to the lingering visitors in the kitchen she hated when ghosts followed her around. It was like a damn convention no one could see. Blair discreetly told them to shoo and they did. Except one stayed, he was with Blair always he was the first ghost she ever saw. He was a Colonist that fought in the Revolutionary War and he never told Blair why he was stuck her.

When the little woman looked at Markus again she felt the ghost move to another place….he was probably creeping on the porch.
Blair couldn't stop herself from looking at all the pallets it made her uneasy... Plus all the taps made her feel like she could sneeze and set off some weird trap in the house.

Her demeanor perked up when she heard him mutter something when looking at the monitors again. Blair sighed in relief that she had stumbled upon Markus in the most weirdest place of all. Maybe that evil woman Aurora would get the hint to leave her alone…she was tired of the bullshit, all the running..and the bullets that had ruined her previous cowboy hats.

Blair snorted when Markus grumbled to himself,” That group is actually a smaller size than the last vist…bout maybe a church full or so give or take…”

Then she motioned towards the crates, “For some reason, I don’t think you will have a problem getting more booby traps.”

After she remembered to pull out her knife she sensed that wasn’t a good idea. He immediately stopped what he was doing to swivel and look at her. A frown washed across his face and his eye honed in on herself. Oh Fuck. BIG mistake. He stood from his swivel chair and glared at her…Oh shit. She eyed him he was a tall man and she was a little thing… she gave him the best puppy eyes she could do..but that didn’t help at all.

His eye trailed over herself and Blair gulped while nervously twiddling her thumbs and said to her about putting the rest of her weapons on the table…Then the most absurd thing came out of his mouth he wanted to FRISK her. What if he was some weirdo pervert…that did this for kicks. Her jaw dropped and she looked at him like he was nuts. Blair stood from the seat she was in and peered back at him with a hand on her hip. She clucked her tongue, “You better not get fresh with me or there is gonna to be a problem. I know what a pat down feels like you better not be a dirty pervert doing this for one’s amusement. “


Blair turned sharply and held her hands raised to the side. Her head turned and looked at him, “Well I don’t have all day now.”

Her insides turned from nervousness she was uneasy with people touching her and especially old cranky men..named Markus.