Anaxander "Ax" Fury
Ax strode into the dining room and grabbed a plate before starting to serve himself. As he waited in line for the bacon, he noticed Chris, the boy who was his fan, in line in front of him.
Noticing that he seemed a little pale, Ax asked him, "You okay, kid?"
"Yes, absolutely fine. Nothing wrong here." he answered hurriedly, and Ax got the feeling that he was trying to convince himself as much as Ax. Then, abruptly, he left the line and walked quickly towards the long table.
Well, that was weird. thought Ax with a frown. Something must be bothering that kid. But he put those thoughts to the side as he caught sight of Annabelle Quail, and narrowed his eyes. He had been observing Annabelle for the past few days, and drawn some very disturbing conclusions.
After a few moments pondering, he decided to confront her, and, after shoveling some bacon onto his plate, strode over to where she was sitting, and asked politely, "Is this seat taken?" while gesturing to the seat opposite her.
"No, please sit." she replied with a grin.
Ax sat down, and as he spooned some scrambled egg into his mouth, he muttered under his breath, too low for anyone but Annabelle to hear, "I know you're not a real reporter."
At that, Annabelle froze, the color draining from her face. Then she looked up at Ax with a forced smile, and said, "Why would you think that?"
Ax smiled, then whispered, "That look on your face just now, that just proved it. For one moment, your act fell, and you looked scared."
Annabelle frowned, and said, "I was scared you were gonna accuse me of a crime or something. Besides, you haven't answered my earlier question yet."
Ax replied, "Well, my suspicions were first aroused when i found out you hadn't heard of me, despite the fact that I'm sought after everywhere from San Francisco to Machu Picchu!"
Annabelle gave a small laugh, and said, "Are you sure you aren't exaggerating just a bit? Macchu Picchu is uninhabited, you know."
Ax's gaze hardened as he replied, "Yes, I know, but journalists followed me in helicopters. Trust me, I had a hard time hiding from them on the way up and down."
Annabelle laughed, "That's hilarious, but hardly a reason for thinking I'm not what I am! This is my first job, how could I have heard of you?"
Ax stared unflinchingly as he said, "At first, I thought that too. I mean, despite the fact that your instructors would've had more experience and known of me, there would have to be exceptions right?"
Annabelle replied, "There, you see! You already worked it out, so what's your reason for this confrontation?"
Ax smiled slightly and said, "That was before I started observing you. I was suspicious since I first met you, but now I'm sure. Your attitude is what some would call practiced, but I would call it fake. You act like a journalist well enough, but it's not who you are. You ask questions, but don't really seemed concerned about the answers."
Annabelle then tried to speak, but Ax cut her off, "Don't try and make excuses. I know your type. I've been on group expeditions many times before, and have gotten quite adept at telling who I can trust and who I can't. And if someone is keeping secrets, then that's always a black mark against their character. And your entire attitude is of one putting on an act for other people, and you're way too secretive. You lack the curiosity that most other journalists possess. Now, an older journalist, who's done the same thing over and over again I could understand, but one who's just got out of college? No chance! And I know this because I know more journalists than there are mosquitoes on this island. And form the way they've been biting, there are a hell of a lot. But you've given me the greatest reason of all to know that you're not a journalist. You're as white as chalk!"
Annabelle gave a forced smile which looked much more like a grimace, "That's because I'm afraid you'll tell this to Mr.Polk, and have me kicked off the mission."
Ax gave a harsh laugh, and replied, "That depends on whether or not you're a danger to the rest of us. And I can't know that until you tell me the truth."
Annabelle shook her head and said, "I don't understand what you mean. I'm just a journalist."
Ax gave her a steely glare and said, "Fine, keep your secret if you want. But don't forget, I'm the survivalist. If things go wrong-and I think they will, given our missing friends-then I'll be responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone on this mission, in the middle of dinosaur country. Do you really want me pissed at you?"
Annabelle looked horrified as she replied, "Are you threatening me?"
Ax shook his head and said, "No, I'm just warning you. If you want to tell me the truth, then you can approach me any time. I'll keep your secret, it it's no harm to us. And if I believe you-and trust me, I'll know-and you are not a danger to anyone else, then I'll keep you safe with everyone else. If not, then I'll be forced to consider you a threat. So, until you come clean, I suggest you watch your back. Because no one else will, especially me." And with that, Ax walked away, satisfied that he had done his job well.
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