Nico's heart was racing at this point in an unworldly rush of adrenaline and excitement. He hadn't met another human in over a year, at least not a friendly one. While the prospect of meeting a friendly face and actually having another soul to talk to sounded like a dream come true, the looming danger of this person being hostile could prove to be nightmarish reality.<br/><br/>Nico listened intently to the sound of boots backing away, then the click of the door closing fully, then the sound of a female voice calling out with a well developed authority in her tone. With almost no access to medicine anymore, every injury matters and a gunshot wound would likely be fatal regardless of where it hit. 'Shes got a point there.' Nico thinks to himself as he hears her boots approach the doorway then stop briefly before pressing past the threshold.<br/><br/>He watched closely, wanting to get a good look at this female stranger before revealing himself. Her crouched figure enters the room and a dull gleam of a dirty blade catches his eye. This meant Nico had the range advantage, so it was now or never. He mentally prepared himself for the potential shit-storm that could unfold in this dusty old garage before leaping out and taking a few steps back, taking a low firing stance and keeping his muzzle trained on the woman's chest who was now no more than 2 metres away from him.<br/><br/>His eyes were wide with both excitement and terror as they darted around her figure in search for firearms or signs of concealed weapons and his face was taught with tension. "Alright, I have the shotgun so who are you?" He asked in the most assertive voice he could muster through his raspy throat and deafening heartbeat. His water was running low so he had to nurse it, which hadn't been a problem until he needed to speak loud enough for this woman to hear him. Nico tried to focus on his breathing, taking long and deep breaths to slow his heart so that he could hear himself think and also to keep his muzzle steady. If he needed to shoot he'd only get one shot before she could close the gap and end him.