[@Carlsberg]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuUVONbrl_w

[b]"Huh?  What?"[/b]

Mike nearly jumped out of his skin upon hearing a young woman's voice.  He had been having...those dreams again, and how they always ended the same, fire and blood, dead bodies all around him, the young Marine clad in his blood soaked combat gear.  In his arms...one of his dying brothers choking on red, viscous fluid and metal fragments sticking from his neck.  Helicopters soaring over his head as he wrenched back and screamed to the burning skies above...in pain, anger, and sorrow...  The war had changed him so much, Mike barely recognized himself anymore.

The scruffy man rubbed his eyes, taking another swig of lukewarm whiskey down his gullet.  Fire water, the Native Americans called whiskey, and damn did this one have a good burn to it.  He then looked over the girl in front of him, noting her wild colored hair, his vision blurry a bit before it set in and he got a good view of her.  [b]"You lost or something, ma'am?"[/b]  His voice a tad hoarse as he asked, a small cough to clear his throat.  Mike figured she had to be around Liz's age....which he wondered, was this [i]her[/i]?

[b]"A bit late to be walking around, don't you think?  Especially around these parts.  You never know what kind of sleazebags could be lurking in these alleys these days.  A pretty girl like you, heh, you're pretty much fresh meat to them."[/b]  Mike chuckled as if he were telling a joke, but in all seriousness he did have concern for the girl.

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After she downed the last sip of her coffee, Liz sighed setting the small cup aside and slumping back in the booth, gazing out the window per usual.  She had thought the warmth of the coffee would be enough to soothe the callous chill around her heart, but even so, she could feel it inside her, hurting still.  Jen had every right to be angry with her, over the way she acted, and how she treated the only girl who meant the world to her...and so much more.  Even more it pained Liz to think back on those few hours, how frigid and bitter she was towards Jennifer, the disdain she had for all those women she slept with....and how Jen had to force herself through it all...

She hurt Jen, and she hurt her bad.... This, Liz deserved.

Christy returned a few moments later to take up her empty cup, still seeing that Liz was downtrodden as the black haired girl barely spoke a word to the waitress.  [color=bc8dbf]"Everything okay, hun?"[/color]  She asked, genuinely concerned for Liz.  Liz shrugged with another empty sigh, her eyes still tired and bloodshot.  How many tears has she shed since then?  [color=6ecff6]"Hmm?  Yeah, just..."[/color]  She replied, shortly cut off by Christy, [color=bc8dbf]"Thinking about her, aren't you?"[/color]

Liz, she was surprised no less this waitress had her all figured out just with a simple glance.  But in her profession, she must've seen quite a few broken spirits lingering about this place, seeking some sort of solace....even if it was just from a cup of coffee.  The girl nodded slowly, the only reply she gave as she hung her head down, already her eyes feeling heavy again and stinging quite a bit.  Christy smiled, another comforting hand resting on Liz's shoulder, [color=bc8dbf]"It'll be okay, sweetie.  I'm sure she's probably thinking about you right now."[/color]  Assuming that a girl was the cause of all of Liz's heartache...which was true, but not just any girl.  [color=bc8dbf]"You want another coffee?"[/color]  She asked.  Politely and quietly Liz declined the offer, [color=6ecff6]"Nah, I'm good.  Thanks."[/color]

[color=bc8dbf]"No problem."[/color]  Christy replied, then her eyes trailed from Liz over to her guitar beside her.  [color=bc8dbf]"Hey.  Cool guitar.  You a musician?"[/color]

[color=6ecff6]"Sorta.  Why?"[/color]  Liz inquired raising an eyebrow.  Christy answered, [color=bc8dbf]"Oh, well umm, sorry if I'm changing the subject here, but a friend of mine owns this bar on Cranberry Street called Jackson Hill.  He's looking for some local acts to play there every Friday night, kind of a thing to bring in more customers really.  You should probably check it out.  Seth, umm that's the guy, said he's paying $200 for every gig, and if you're good he might pay you more."[/color]  Liz's eyebrow rose a bit more at that.  $200 had a nice ring to it, alot more than she got just playing for random people in the street.

With $200 a night, she would be set.  Better yet, she could help out Mike.  She owed him that much for all the guy did for her, and after all he had been through, he certainly earned a better life for himself.  

But also....if she ever saw her again, she could help Jennifer.  She wouldn't need to sell her body every night and damage her soul, just for the sake of living another day.  She wouldn't have to be some random chick or some play thing for the evening for some bitch's pleasure.  No....for $200 a night....she could be Liz's.

Liz just had one question, a smile inching across her lips, [color=6ecff6]"Where did you say that bar was again?"[/color]