Home Sweet Home

Having decided to keep a watchful eye on the goings on at Bar Harbor for a time before making their approach Haley, Ysabel and the kids had stayed in the woods nearby for a time. Deciding that they'd make contact with the inhabitants after a few days that plan was put on in indefinite hold when the Bar Harborian's began their bridge repairs. Three weeks had passed since then and the bridge was now completed, A drawbridge of sorts now towered over the metal trestles that supported it.

Waking up earlier than the rest of her companions that morning Haley did as she usually would. Carefully crawling over the kids she popped the rear door of their SUV open and got to her feet, carefully closing it behind her she stretched and set to washing up. Changing in to a fresh set of clothes Haley made her way to the front seat of the SUV and spent an hour or so listening to music through the headphones they had hard wired into the cars sound system. Relaxing, would be word for it.

A few hours would pass before everyone began to stir and as they did Haley stopped her music, turning to face them they spent a number of minutes getting the kids up and ready for the day before sitting down for breakfast, during which they all discussed whether or not today was the day they made first contact. They'd watched the place for weeks by this point and it seemed that other than a few cars that left the place a few days ago, one of which being an extremely over armored truck driven by a blonde who appeared to be significantly younger than herself, there wasn't much in the way of foot traffic. After completing the bridge the stronghold had erected watch towers at the bridges end and it was surely going to be maned when they approached, Haley just hoped whoever was there when they came along wouldn't be too, trigger happy.

That afternoon and after more discussing than Haley cared to deal with the group now found themselves at the end of the bridge which was raised behind them, No going back now it would seem. In front of them in the guard towers she could see a couple men, both of which armed with high powered rifles and a shotgun, although Haley struggled to find how that would be useful from a watch tower unless he was using slugs. "Well, we're here. What now?" Haley asked aloud.

Looking to Ysabel as she heard her ask Rosa to pass the pup Haley looked at her companion quizzically, "What you planning?" She asked. Watching as Ysabel got out of the car she followed the woman's form through the window, behind her she could hear the grumbles of Sophia who wasn't overly thrilled about coming to the place in the first place. Ignoring her for the time Haley kept watch and soon enough the man in the tower waved them through. Waiting for Ysabel to get back in the car Haley then pulled their SUV through the now open gate, above her she saw the man in the tower radioing for someone, probably letting whoever was set to meet them on the other side. "So, was your man one of the guards?" Haley asked as they drove in, seeing a man wave them down from the side she followed the vehicle he rode in further in until they reached the front of what appeared to be the local high school. on the steps leading in she caught a glimpse of a figure before a large wall blocked her view. 'was that?' she asked herself. Coming around the wall she saw the hand in the car in front of them wave for them to stop, doing so Haley waited and took a number of steady breaths.

A number of minutes later the man returned and ushered them out of their car before leading them to the steps of the school. Upon reaching them the figures she had seen before reappeared. And spoke.

"Hello folks, Welcome to Bar harbor, I'm Justin, and this here is Alexandra, We're two of the hea-" Justin began running through his speech as he had done a number of times before, his vision obscured by the barricades they had erected to slow traffic he hadn't noticed who was driving, until now. His jaw dropping he stared dumbfounded.

"Huh. Well then." Haley said as she got out of the car with the rest of her group. Her palms were sweating now and the excitement was building, but her image was important to her, and she resisted the urge to leap in to her brothers arms, for the time anyway. The same couldn't be said for her younger sister however who instantly burst away from Sophia and Rosa and charged to the man before them.

"JUSTIN!!!" Katey shouted as she sprinted into his arms. Having crouched down to meet his long lost younger sister Justin felt his heart racing, was this real?

"Hey squirt. Long time no see huh?" Justin said, his voice uncharacteristically shaky from the emotions he was currently feeling.

Taking over for her husband Alexandra spoke up. "As Justin was saying, We're two of the heads here, the boss is currently busy but we'll pass you through medical." She explained before raising her radio. "Are you ready for them Cassie?" She asked. Waiting for the woman's response Alex smiled to the faces before her, surprising even herself she felt her hand shake. So Haley and Katey survived that day as well, this is indeed a good day.

Having been brought to a waiting room of sorts while Ysabel and her daughter were passed through medical Haley and Katey found themselves in what looked to have been a classroom before everything went to hell. Through the door they could hear people going back and forth about their duties and as time went Haley grew impatient. Her foot tapping incessantly Haley grew increasingly frustrated. Where was Ysabel, Where was Justin. Blowing air though her nose Haley looked back towards the hall. "Where are they?"

Curious and a little scared from the way her big sister had been acting since they were brought to the waiting room Katey looked up in an attempt to look Haley in the face. "Where are who?" She asked curiously.

"Justin, Alex, Ysabel. Everyone." Haley snapped. Catching the scared look in her little sisters eyes though made her reconsider. Sighing she pinched the bridge of her nose and excelled slowly. "Sorry, I'm just antsy.. I guess."

"What's there to be antsy about? Not like they're gonna kill ya or nothing." Sophia blurted. "They better not touch my knife or gun though, I'm tell ya that now."

Seconds later Justin and Alex entered the room, Justin wearing his signature smile that had always served to make all of his siblings smile, even Haley from time to time, and he really hoped this was one of those times. "You know, Waking up today I didn't think that I'd be seeing familiar faces come waltzing through here like this." He chuckled taking a seat next to them. Reaching out he brought both of them in to a hug. "But god is it nice to see you two..."

"Da, I did not believe I would be seeing you again, It is a relief to be wrong." Alex added.

Sharing a moment of silent bliss together Cassie soon came and collected them for their check up, having finished with Ysabel and her daughter Haley, Katey and Sophia were passed through quickly, a few scrapes and bruises but nothing too serious.

Being released Justin and Alex escorted the group to the canteen for food and drink. It was frustrating, seeing how well Justin and Alex had been living in comparison to the rough existence she had been forced to endure. Whatever, that didn't matter now. Taking a seat with Ysabel and Rosa Haley heard the quiver in Ysabel's voice. "Yo, you okay?" She asked looking to her friend with a raised eyebrow

Listening to what Ysabel had to say in response Haley began to understand. She was in the same boat as her and Katey, although it would seem her response was tears rather than annoyance and frustration. "Well that's good isn't it? I mean, We both get to see our family again." Haley answered. Beside her she heard Sophia fake a gag. "Family, Who needs'm."  The redhead responded.

a few minutes of discussion later Justin and Alex joined the group and with them came a small parade.

"Jay! Jay! Introduce us! She's your long long sister! This is like one of those fairy tales! Like sleeping.. Err. Uh.. Shit.. Uh.. That one! Ya know!" Clara rambled.

Behind her Sara and Fearah stood quietly waiting for her to finish or Justin to tell her to stop.  "So Justin tells us you're his long lost sisters. It's nice to meet the two of you." Sarah said after Clara's rambles finished.

"Hush. The lot of you." Justin said, the girls going quiet he looked to Haley and Ysabel. "Well it was only a matter of time before they got to you anyway so thought I'd introduce you to my extended family." Justin explained further. "Haley, Ya know how I never wanted kids?" He asked with a chuckle. "Well I sorta have four now. Introduce yourselves guys."

"Hello ma'am, Ma'am." Sarah said bowing her head to Haley and Ysabel in turn. "I'm Sarah, This is my twin, Fearah. Your brother's been looking after us since he found us about half a year ago." Sarah explained politely.
"You mean we found him doncha?" Fearah responded. "I mean we did have you at range with the rifle."
"Well, yes. But that's besides the point." Sarah returned.

Raising a hand to stop them from rambling the two girls fell silent. "They're crack shots. Don't let their bickering fool you." Justin said. Looking to Clara Justin nodded to her giving her the queue to introduce herself as well.

"Hi! I'm Clara! Or, C, Or Goofball! Oh! J likes to call me Spaz some times! Don't know why though, it's weird. I don't think I'm a spaz, I just like talking, don't you like talking? Oh! Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked. Uh, Hi! I'm Clara! I like hunting, and cake, and sports." Clara rambled for a moment before she too was silenced by Justin's raised hand.

Looking to Ysabel and Haley Justin smiled.

"It's good to see you guys alive and well." He said genuinely as he leaned in and hugged his sister, a tear forming briefly in his eye as he straightened out.

Looking to Ysabel Justin kept the smile on his face. "And It's good to see you as well Ysabel. Cassie tells me your Troys Ysabel. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you alive and well once he returns."

Letting the girls introduce themselves Justin smiled and then set to  introducing the shyer of the bunch himself. Behind him, gripping his pants leg stood Emmi who, in stark contrast to her older sister never spoke much and when she did she only spoke to those she knew. One eye peaking out from behind Justin's leg she watched the new faces as they talked among themselves and greeted the rest of her sisters.

"Do you want to say hi?" Justin asked from above her, Looking up to him she gripped his pants leg tighter and nodded. "Y-Yes.. Sir." She said shyly.

Stepping around her placing his leg behind her so she was in full view of the group Justin rested a gentle hand on her shoulder and smiled, he'd do the talking for her of course, at least until she worked up the courage to do so herself. "And lastly, But of course not least." Justin said looking down at the girl with a smile. "This is Emmi. Clara's younger sister, she's real shy but she's a sweetheart. Aint ya?" Justin teased. Looking to his youngest sister and Ysabel's daughter who looked to be around the same age as Katey and Emmi Justin smiled. "She's about you two's age, hope you get along."

"H-Hi..." Emmi said quietly with a small wave from below Justin, his hand on her shoulder serving to give her enough courage to greet the new faces she quickly looked back to the ground. On her face however was a broad smile, she managed to speak and that made her extremely happy.

Letting the young girl take her spot behind him again Justin then looked to Ysabel and Haley, Ysabel looked like she had something on her mind and Justin being Justin he took a seat across from her and smiled. "What's up? You okay?" He asked, Placing his good hand in his prosthetic he waited for her to speak up. Moments later he heard her ask about Frank, the leader of the bikers that had taken off a few weeks back,

Sensing the subject was gonna shift to things the younger kids shouldn't hear Sarah tapped Emmi's shoulder and motioned for her and Clara to follow. "Hey J, We're gonna go hang out in Zigs and Ayi's arcade if that's okay."

"Yea, that's okay." Justin answered. "Think Calli is working it today as well." Calli being one of the younger members of bar harbor that had offered to keep the arcade running while Zigs and Ayita were gone.
"You two wanna come too?" Sarah then asked Katey and Rosa.

Waiting for the kids to go Justin then heard as Ysabel began explaining that she had some dark past with Frank and that she didn't want him around her daughter or herself, understandably. "Well, You'll be happy to know ma'am, that Frank took the Hell-Riders north after the town was taken back, Troy and a few others that were loyal to him stayed behind and decided to make Bar Harbor their home. So to answer your question, No, He's not here." He answered gently.

Ayako sat there with Maria and the two of them silently ate their food while Ysabel talked with Justin and his wife Alex. She waited for an opportunity to speak and when a moment of silence went by she spoke up. "I own a tattoo shop if you ever want to add a few more tattoos." said Ayako to Ysabel as she noticed the tattoo on her neck and the small tattoo across her hands. Ysabel had a huge smile on her face and looked surprised as she turned to the Japanese woman. "Are you for real!?" asked Ysabel to Ayako who nodded and had a small smile on her face as she could see that the woman wanted one. "If you want I can do one right now." said Ayako to Ysabel who nodded excitedly she then turned to Justin and Alex. "Alright well I'll meet the leader of this place and she can assign me a spot later." said Ysabel to Justin and Alex. She could barely contain her excitement and left with Ayako and Maria. As they walked to the tattoo shop Ysabel noticed the girl Maria walked with a limp and before she could look away Maria saw her looking. "It happened in the beginning...It doesn't bother me anymore. I just walk it off now." said Maria jokingly. Ysabel chuckled at the joke but deep inside she felt sorry for the girl.


They had just reached the tattoo shop and as they went inside Maria turned to Ayako. "I'm heading to the arcade figured I would meet the new kids. Take care Aya!" said Maria to Ayako who smiled. Ysabel looked around the shop and smiled as it felt as if the world never ended. Smokey opened the door from the manager's office changing the music. It was usually punk and hardcore music but every once in awhile they would play a classic. Ysabel was all smiles as she heard the music playing. It was Frank Sinatra's My Way. Smokey looked at Ayako and gave her a nod but as he saw Ysabel he was all "Mr. Smooth". "Hey Ayako who is the cutie?" asked Smokey with a smirk to Ayako who rolled her eyes and looked at him slightly annoyed. "This is Ysabel and she is spoken for." said Ayako to Smokey who just let out a heavy sigh. Ysabel slightly blushed and let out a light chuckle as she found it cute whenever guys made an attempt to hit on her yet she was fateful to Troy. 

"So who is dating the lucky lady?" asked Smokey with a smirk to Ysabel and Ayako. "I'm dating Troy one of the members from the Hell-Riders." said Ysabel to Smokey who looked confused but then he saw Ayako's cold stare and from that stare alone he knew not to push it. "Alright well ladies...I'm gunna go grab some grub. Catch ya on the flip side." said Smokey to the girls as he left. Ayako then turned her attention back on Ysabel. "So we have designs on the wall or I have my book you can choose from." offered Ayako to Ysabel. Ysabel looked through the book and found one to her liking within a matter of minutes. It was an anchor but instead of the usual design it had a heart on it. To Ysabel this symbolized a new start for her and her daughter as well as finally being reunited with her lover Troy.

Ysabel showed Ayako the design and nodded it was a simple design that she could finish in about fifteen minutes. Ysabel sat on the chair and soon she decided to have it on her left ankle. Ayako then went to work as Frank Sinatra played on.







So Ayako was finished and Ysabel was happy and hugged the tattoo artist. Ayako just chuckled and patted the girl on her back. She wasn't used to hugs but at this point she would have to learn to get used to it. "I love it! Thank you so much!" said Ysabel to Ayako. The Japanese woman smiled and nodded to the mother. "Anytime." said Ayako to Ysabel. So Ayako covered up her small tattoo and gave her some ontiment. She then left the tattoo shop deciding to go to the arcade to see how her daughter was doing.

Having lead Katey, Emmi, Clara as well as the new girls daughter Rosa to the arcade Sarah had picked Justin's other sister Kelly up on their way, her eyes lighting up to a dregree Sarah had yet upon seeing her younger sister alive and well she all but dropped everything go come with them. Reaching the arcade Sarah saw to it that the younger ones got situated on the various arcade games Ziggy, Ayita, Sara and the others had managed to find and restore to working order and had Fearah watch over them before heading to the bar area, while she was still too young to drink alcohol herself the bar catered to all ages, it was one of the rules Mallory had laid out when Ziggy had laid out the idea she believed.

"Hey Calli." Sarah greeted as she made her way to the bar and placed herself in one of the many empty seats, still early in the day the bar was generally quiet until later in the evening when all the adults started getting done with the days goings on's.

"The usual S?" Calli answered back with her signature smile.

"Yea, That'll work." Sarah responded, Watching as the woman gave her a quick nod before heading off to grab the beverage she returned in quick order with a cold glass of sweet tea, it's taste somewhat stale from the age of the leaves the boxes of them that they'd found in storage were still fresh enough to be deemed usable, a fact Sarah had no quarrel with. Taking the first sip of her tea she closed her eyes and enjoyed the aroma, who knew she'd be enjoying the moment with such a simple thing. Listening to the sounds of Fearah and the kids playing with one game or another Sarah soon heard another sound, the sound of the chime attached to the front door going off, taking another sip of her tea Sarah opened her eyes and looked towards the door, seeing who it was she smiled and nodded a greeting to Ysabel before she headed off to find her daugher. A few moments later she heard the noise of approaching footsteps and again looked back towards the sound. Watching as Ysabel made her way to join her at the bar she smiled. "Hello Ma'am." She greeted.

Staying quiet as she ordered a drink for herself she listened as Calli spoke to her about the various things they did there as well as mentioning the karaoke nights they held on the weekend. "It's really fun." Sarah noted as they talked. Waiting for them to finish she noticed Ysabel catch a few of the paintings older Sara had done. "They're pretty aren't they?" She asked when the woman looked back to the bar. "That one." She continued as a finger pointed to the painting of Ziggy, Ayita, And Sara fighting the dead. "It's the three that own this place. The one with the rifle is Ziggy, she's goofy but really reliable. Ayita's the one with the bow. She's really kind and supporting, And the one with the glasses is Sara. She's the one that painted them." Sarah explained.

Extending her hand to Ysabel she smiled. "And I'm also Sarah, but with an H at the end. We met back with Justin but I wanted to properly greet you. Be polite about it and all if that makes sense." She explained with a chuckle. Waiting for her to shake her hand Sarah then took another sip of her tea and waited for her to answer.

Taking another gentle sip of her tea Sarah closed her eyes and enjoyed the taste once again, even if drinking the beverage had become a casual act by this point it never changed the fact she had missed it oh so very much over the last few months of living on the road. Looking back to Ysabel as she began answering answering her comment about the painting Sarah smiled, Chuckling when she asked what the drinking age was she looked to Calli for her answer.

"Drinkin age is still Twenty One!" Calli called from the far end of the bar.

"There ya go." Sarah responded taking another sip of her tea. "I don't mind, as long as the tea holds up for another three years anyway." Sarah joked. "My sister on the other hand, she'll try to bribe Calli all day long." She added, from the far end of the isle Fearah appeared making her way to the counter to join them, in tow were the kids. Looking to her sister Sarah chuckled again. "Speak of the devil."

"What was that?" Fearah asked. "You talking about me again?" She added sticking out her tongue.

"Of course I am, You're the one always in trouble anyway." Sarah responded sticking her tongue out as well. Sharing a laugh Sarah and Fearah looked back to Ysabel. Behind them the door chimed signalling that new faces had entered, through the door stepped two figures, a younger redhead Sarah didn't recognize as well as one she did, but was never expecting to see in a place like this. Her jaw dropping slightly in unison with her sister Sarah sat dumbfounded for a second. "What are you doing here?"  she asked in surprised amazement.

Entering the building with Red after being passed through medical and gotten food in them Hannah waited for the little redhead to pass through the door before doing so herself, entering she was greeted to a very nicely decorated arcade bar, a long L shaped bar following the flow of the wall she was astonished by the amount of games and intact arcade shop type items they had. Looking back to the bar she haerd Red scoff and move off to one corner or another before another, strangely familiar voice met her ears. Looking to the source she was surprised yet again to be met with faces from her passed. "Huh. What a small world after all. Sup there Sarah. Long time no see." Hannah greeted as she came to join them, as she did it would seem one of Ysabels favorite songs came on as she was dancing a short distance away on the makeshift dance floor the bar had set up. Reaching the group Hannah watched on as Ysabel rejoined them as well, waiting for her to take a seat before continuing.

"Hi Ysabel, Sorry for taking so long, medical got busy with a kid that came in with a broken arm." Hannah explained.

"Hi Hannah." Kelly greeted quietly from beside Fearah, her hello kitty eyepatch covering her blind eye.

"Hey there mini blondie, how's the eye? Still rockin the Hello Kitty patch like a little badass I see." Hannah answered with a wink. Seeing the girl nod shyly she looked back to Ysabel. "Guess destiny does exist."

"Anyone ever manage to put your pops where he deserves?" Fearah asked bluntly.

Hearing the question Hannah sighed. "No, Unfortunately. Few tried but they ended up just like you guys, having to get out of town before they dropped the hammer."

Clicking her tongue in annoyance Fearah walked down towards Calli and ordered a drink.

"Well, Guess the cats out of the bag now." Hannah answered with a laugh. "Ya know that group I talked about with the military peeps and the badass weapon trained kids?" She asked Ysabel. "That was them. God knows how we ended up in the same place but there they are. Sarah there can take your head off before you even know she's there with her rifle."

Blushing Sarah looked away for a moment, From the far end of the bar Fearah had heard what was said. "It's not a rifle! It's a Sniper Weapon System!"

"See you're as snarky as ever thing two." Hannah joked. "Okay, yes, With their Sniper Weapon System." She corrected. Looking back to Ysabel Hannah as well as the rest of the girls waited to see how she'd react.

Having been reunited with the daughter of the tyrant that controlled the southern tip of eastern Canada and learned that he still held it with an iron fist Sarah had to close her eyes and take a few breaths, knowing what that man had done to Kelly, how he had taken her eye made her blood boil. But that was was in the past, he had his area and stuck to it, and they had an area of their own now. Opening her eyes again she smiled to Hannah. "Well, At least he's staying up north I suppose.." Sarah answered.

After a few more back and forths with her old companion Sarah turned her attention back to Ysabel, it would seem she had a few words of encouragement for Kelly about her confidence with her eye patch, saying that all she had to do was keep her hopes up and that everything would work out in one way or another in the end. Sarah nodded, it was a good frame of mind to have in the current time and in a way it was one Sarah shared with Ysabel. The subject soon shifted to what Ysabel could do around the compound, mentioning that it appeared they had everything fairly set up and joked about needing to fill out an application. From beside her Sarah heard her sister laugh.

"An application?" Fearah questioned. "I don't think Mal's started up the job application forms just yet." She added with another laugh.

From the row of arcade machines Sophia pocked her head out upon hearing the mention of work, 'you mean I have to work??' she thought to herself. grabbing a hold of the arcade machine in front of her to balance herself the young redhead listened quietly from the sidelines.

"What Fearah's trying to say is that no, we don't have an application form. You'll go to the high school and talk to Miss Faraday, she'll assign you where you're needed." Sarah explained.

"You could always work here with Calli!" The young Emmi chirped as she peeked out from behind her older sister.

"Yea! All the cool cats work in the arcade anyway." Clara added with a wink. "And you're pretty cool looking." She added with a stuck out tongue.

Sighing Sarah shook her head but couldn't help but laugh at Clara's words. "Translation. 'I want to hang out with you and the arcades the only place they let me hang out for longer than an hour.'" Sarah responded, putting Clara's words to a coherent thought. "But yes, to put a finer point on Clara's words. Calli's the only one working here since Ziggy and Ayi went off to help their friend find her ma. If you'd be up for it and Ms Faraday gives the okay working here would be a big help."