Paisley Earhart

On days like these, it was easy to forget the state of the world. The sun shining through the window, a fresh breeze rustling the curtains of Paisley's bedroom and the soft singing of birds. Almost idyllic. Were it not that the birds around these parts are ugly mutations of what they used to be, their singing more shrill than actually beautiful. But Paisley didn't know any different, born well over 21 years after the Fall. It was her usual wake-up call and today wasn't any different.

Stretching with a groan, Paisley opens her eyes, suppressing a yawn. Her gaze settles on the window, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she throws the blanket back and hops out of bed. Opening the curtains, she perches against the window sill, surveying her herd in the fields, the rising sun casting a warm glow over the ranch. She sighs softly, stretching once more as her eyes follow Bean, her trusty dog, as he stops two calves from fighting. I am so incredibly lucky, her thoughts catch up to her.

She still remembers the stories her grandparents used to tell her. The tales about the Fall, the fear and the devastation. How the entire earth seemed to shake and Angels and Demons, once thought to be nothing but religious fairy tales, ascended unto Earth. A shiver runs down her spine as she remembers the muffled screams from her grandmother's night terrors of those times, the sorrow and fear still lingering in her grandfather's blue eyes when he talked about the world before and after. Paisley can hardly begin to understand how the world was before. The pictures her grandparents painted feeling too idyllic to be true. Like, how cows used to be so unlike the giant beasts they are now. Or how horses had no mutations but color related ones, instead of the bared side-grin and sunken eyes.

Yes, she was lucky. Even more so since she is the current owner of the Lakeround Ranch. Her family had been one of the founding family of the Sanctuary, together with Neal's grandparents. And now, the Ranch was part of the beating heart of one of the few safe places of the world. And if there is one thing Paisley takes seriously, it is ensuring it stays that way. That the ranch can provide for the people of Lakefront Views.

And so, another day begins. She slips into her clothes, bounding down the stairs of the spacious farmhouse. The scents of cooking wafts towards her from the kitchen and a grinforms on her face as she walks in to see her little brother, Stevie, cooking up breakfast. She grabs some bacon and ruffles his hair, grabbing the plate he's already holding out for her. He always knows just how she wants her eggs. She grabs a fork and sits down, shoveling food in her mouth in a rapid pace. No time for calm eating when there's work to be done.

“You tendin’ to the pigs today, yeah?” Paisley says between bites, her eyes following her brother's movements. Stevie rolls his eyes and nods.

“Yeah yeah, and the chickens. I didn't forget, sis. No worries.” the annoyance in his voice is fitting for a 19-year-old that constantly has his sister on his ass.

“Great! Can't blame me for reminding’ you, chicken pop. How ‘bout you run some errands in town after? You might even catch a glimpse of Lucy,” the singsong in Paisley's voice betrays the teasing. A laugh leaving her lips as Stevie turns beet red and mumbles something incoherent, before burying himself in his own breakfast.

“I'll be moving the herd to the south of the lakeside. They could use some of that nutritious grass there. Help with the milk production. Won't be home for lunch, probably for dinner.” She says, standing up to put her plate in kitchen, pressing a kiss to the top of Stevie's head as she moves past. Just another day on the job.

The afternoon is setting in by the time Paisley reaches the south lakeside, leaning back on the back of Lucky, her trusted horse. She watches the large cows, and bulls, happily trot along. Finding their way instinctively, most of them knowing this path by muscle memory by now. For a moment, she gets distracted by two calves frolicking in the field. It is their first time in this part and the flowers seem to get them all excited. Adorable.

But then, suddenly, Bean races past her, making Lucky stop abruptly. Bean's barks echo over the fields as he runs towards the lake and Paisley’s heart instantly drops. The lake is off limits, Bean knows this. Crocodeers aplenty and those fuckers were relentless. They stayed away from the herd, sure, but only because of the precautionary systems put up like a barrier. But the part Bean is bounding towards is very much outside of those barriers.

“Bean! Down boy!” she shouts harshly, but the dog doesn't listen. She spurs Lucky on, quickly following the stupid Australian Shepherd as he all but jumps into the water.

“Bean! For fuck's sake! Get out of the water! Now!” Paisley's voice holds an edge of panic, knowing all too well that Bean would be done for if a crocodeer closed its maws around him.

But then she sees what had spurred Bean into action. A bundle of something in the lake, looking an awful lot like clothes. Or a body. Bean tugs at it, trying to drag it towards the lake edge. Paisley curses, grabbing her lasso and unwinding it.

“Bean! Heel, boy!” and this time the dog does listen, seeing his owner get out her trusty lasso.

Paisley is damned good with a lasso. Enjoys using it too. So, when she takes it out, you know she will get whatever she is aiming for. This time is no different. She circles it round her head, getting the speed and force she needs, before tossing it towards whatever the bundle in the lake is. It loops around it, and with a little help of Lucky, Paisley manages to drag it onto shore.

She jumps down, her boots hitting the ground with a heavy thud as she hurries towards whatever she just dragged out of the water. And when she recognizes the clear humanoid features, her blood runs cold. A young woman. How the hell did she get into the lake? She doesn't look like she's from the Sanctuary. Did she scale the walls surrounding the settlement, perhaps find a structural weakness? Didn't matter, she was here and she was in trouble.

“Shit!” she curses, dropping down besides the woman. She looks pale, cold. Lifeless. Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit shit. There is no time to think, only to act. Chest compressions, mouth to mouth. And after what seems like an eternity, the young woman takes a heaving breath. Lake water leaving her lungs, her pulse weak but there. For a moment, Paisley leans back on her heels and breathes a sigh of relief. But then, it's back to action. She whistles for Lucky, having the horse kneel down as she hoists the woman on the back of him. Heading back to the ranch as quickly as she can.

Stevie was surprised to see her return with a whole ass human on her horse. Of course he was. Paisley herself was surprised and shaken. However, there was no time to dwell on it. They simply took the woman to one of the spare bedrooms, tending to the various scrapes littered across the woman's body. Paisley ensuring she was dried off and in comfortable pajamas so she could rest. She ate the woman's bedside that evening, not wanting to leave her alone. Waking up alone must be scary, and Paisley doesn't want that for her.

Before the night fully sets in, there is suddenly movement in the woman. A groan, a twitch, a flutter of eyelids. The most beautiful eyes suddenly staring back at Paisley. She breathes out a sigh of relief, quickly leaning forward in her chair, placing a comforting hand on the woman's arm.

“Wow there, Buttercup. Take it easy. Your body took quite a hit.”