“Part of me wonders if there's anywhere out there that's not damaged beyond repair.” Like California, was one of his initial thoughts, but also, “Hawaii, maybe. But getting there would be hell.” Not only would someone have to cross the country, but ocean, too. And braving the waters, with swimmers and infected fish, was a dangerous concept. She explained her group and Brandon was quiet. There was something off about them, but if Lexi trusted them, he supposed he shouldn't have expected her to speak ill of them. “Huh,” was all he said.
Snorting a laugh, Brandon shrugged. “Like I'd ever turn that down.” Not that he ever expected her to actually do it. That part of her life was probably long over. Probably saw Brandon differently, and now he wasn't even sure that he saw her the same way.
Brandon was surprised enough to jump when she corrected him, and he made a face. “I... oh. Sorry,” he told her, “I just... that's how I know you. So, in advance, I'm sorry if I don't pick it up quickly.” He looked at her and saw Allie, the kind woman who'd so easily trusted him back when no one else really did, so... this new name combined with this new attitude? Yeah, it would be an adjustment. He chuckled and shrugged when she told him he was good, and lowered his head. Compliments like that were rare. “Oh. Thanks. You're good too, you know.” A statement, not a question. “Whether or not you believe it. Reputations are bullshit, because the best people get the worst ones.”
Laughing awkwardly, he nodded his head. “I think so too.” He wanted to offer to introduce her, but he knew how Leah would feel about that. So, he didn't. Just stayed quiet instead. “One of those things I was looking forward to back then, so I'm glad I'm getting the chance,” he added.
“They're still after us, I think,” Brandon said, flabbergasted that even after all this time, the fact that she was easy to talk to hadn't faded. After everything that had happened. “I don't think they'd give up that easy, especially after we pretty much rendered their whole fucking facility useless.” He rolled his eyes and made a face. “We're more prepared now, though. Got an armory full of weapons and I know that almost all these people would be willing to fight and die for this compound. They did when they raided before.”
Shrugging, Brandon sighed. “Yeah. But I think it's easier for us to say because we aren't living it. Seeing all the shit Alghren went through, especially losing Zimmerman, has her on edge, and I totally understand it.” He was actually glad she was, because if she wasn't, it'd have been more worrisome. “I'm not letting anything happen this time, though. I don't make the same mistake twice.” Said with seriousness and determination.
Her question made him laugh and bow his head. “My reputation,” he murmured. “Violence and shit. Plus, my best friend Silas was a suspect, too, and I was determined to clear his name. Apparently that's reason enough to people. Sucks, but it is what it is.”