The sound of Rome's footsteps began moving away, telling the boy it was safe enough to come out. He made to slip out of cover but was interrupted by a sudden, cold pressure. Locke met the touch quietly with open jaws, turning his teeth to the neck of whomever had snuck up on him. Luckily, mostly for himself, recognition of the large black figure pulled his movement short of landing a bite on the side of his older brother's neck.

Zaqar; the look on Locke's face upon meeting the brilliant lavender eyes of his brother was a mixture of surprise and confusion. In the year he, Rome, and Hepzibah had been around, he could only remember one other time he had actually seen Zaqar. Mother had spoken of him often, sure, but it was only at Lilith's anatomy and physiology lesson that he recalled actually setting eyes on their older sibling. So, call him skeptical, but Locke couldn't help but wonder, "Why now?"

Locke read Zaqar's signal clearly, casting just one more skeptical look toward his brother before slinking off silently to the left. Much as Zaqar's sudden interest in him was confusing, the idea that his older brother was intent on helping him take advantage of Rome's situation was far too enticing to pass up. If Zaqar wanted to tag team Rome, Locke wasn't about to deny him of a partnership.

The boy slipped silently through the crags, keeping as much cover between him and Rome as possible. Zaqar had disappeared somewhere off to the right, leaving Locke to believe he was doing something rather similar considering what glimpses he took to the open path where Rome walked there was no sign of their older brother.

Locke paused as Rome turned into a rock crevice, rerouting his path to skirt around and find an opening on the left side. Behind the cover of a gray giant, he peered into the opening slowly only to find Rome laying in the shade a, apparently, drifting off into sleep. Really? All alone, somewhere outside the pack lands, and his idiot brother decided here was a good place to let down his defense and take a nap? Though he had no qualms with sneaking up on his brother earlier, this foolishness significantly increased his drive to do so now.

Quietly, he waited, murky golden eyes scanning the other side of the crevice for Zaqar. There was sure to be a signal, or a sign, to move in, he need only wait for it. He was not so foolish, though, as his brother. Much as he kept an eye on the far side of Rome's resting place, Locke reached out around him with his other senses. He would not forget that he did not know Zaqar and he would not lay out his trust. This could very well be a trap for him to fall into, to let down his guard while thinking that they were about to jump Rome only to be jumped himself.

No, he was not so naive.

Don't turn your back.
Don't look away.
And don't blink.

. l o c k e