@freedomliveson I shit you not, as I was in bed falling asleep last night, I was like "oh my god, he wasn't in New York." I was going to change it when I got on, but you beat me to the punch haha.
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x
Four days. It had been four days since Cameron began her journey. It had also been four days since she had seen any signs of life, other than a caravan of thugs her people had warned her of long ago. The tales included kidnapping, slavery, and torturing for information, and the flag that rippled in the wind as they plodded along assured her that it was them. When she saw group roughly a quarter mile out through her pair of binoculars, she camouflaged herself in the terrain surrounding her for an hour until she was sure they had moved along. That was when the realization hit her that she should probably have planned this out better. Walking north was not the most elaborate scheme she had devised, but given the short amount of time she had, she did not see a better option.
Four days since a decent meal. Each night she had camped, she was able to snag a rodent or a lizard but had to force herself to consume it between the dry heaves. The standards for cuisine weren't not high by any means where she came from, and she did not consider herself to be picky, but the meat she prepared almost seemed worse than not eating all together. A small water bottle with a filter on the top saved her from certain death, but purification was surprisingly not the issue for her. It was finding the water itself. Her roles in the village never prepared her to be out in the world on her own, navigating her way to New York, or even hunting and gathering. No. Nothing in the village prepared her for this.
A tattered statue of liberty had finally graced the skyline after the seemingly infinite trek, and the sight alone brought a tear to Cameron’s eye. She wasn’t even quite sure what to do with it, but the glimmer of hope that the image instilled in her was enough to keep her momentarily positive. The silver box that had made the journey with her began to feel like a 50 pound weight, and once she found the right hands for it, the burden would be lifted off of her. Or at least, she hoped. How would she know who could she trust out here? They said she would feel it when the one meant to receive the box, which the vagueness of that statement alone was enough to make her paranoid.
When she finally made it to the heart of the city, she was utterly exhausted. The thought of trying to find a band to take her in for the night was overwhelming, and when she found a quiet, empty alley to lay down in, she nearly collapsed to the ground. The large backpack that overpowered her small build when she wore it served as a pillow, and she nestled the box closely as her eyelids became too heavy to keep open any longer. She drifted off into a deep sleep, until the sound of a voice jolted Cameron awake.
She popped up from her sleeping position and immediately grabbed for the knife holstered on to her thigh. “Don’t come any closer!” she yelled with a voice hoarse from the journey. It had been a while since she had to use it. She used her feet to scoot herself across the alley wall, creating more distance between them. The hand that wasn’t holding the knife gripped the box tightly, causing her knuckles to turn white. She blew a piece of black hair that had fallen in her view while keeping her eyes on the man in front of her. “Who are you?” she questioned, her volume a bit lower, while remaining ready to attack. Although it was relieving to see someone, the stories she had heard of people outside of the village led her to believe that it was a dog eat dog world, especially in New York.
Four days since a decent meal. Each night she had camped, she was able to snag a rodent or a lizard but had to force herself to consume it between the dry heaves. The standards for cuisine weren't not high by any means where she came from, and she did not consider herself to be picky, but the meat she prepared almost seemed worse than not eating all together. A small water bottle with a filter on the top saved her from certain death, but purification was surprisingly not the issue for her. It was finding the water itself. Her roles in the village never prepared her to be out in the world on her own, navigating her way to New York, or even hunting and gathering. No. Nothing in the village prepared her for this.
A tattered statue of liberty had finally graced the skyline after the seemingly infinite trek, and the sight alone brought a tear to Cameron’s eye. She wasn’t even quite sure what to do with it, but the glimmer of hope that the image instilled in her was enough to keep her momentarily positive. The silver box that had made the journey with her began to feel like a 50 pound weight, and once she found the right hands for it, the burden would be lifted off of her. Or at least, she hoped. How would she know who could she trust out here? They said she would feel it when the one meant to receive the box, which the vagueness of that statement alone was enough to make her paranoid.
When she finally made it to the heart of the city, she was utterly exhausted. The thought of trying to find a band to take her in for the night was overwhelming, and when she found a quiet, empty alley to lay down in, she nearly collapsed to the ground. The large backpack that overpowered her small build when she wore it served as a pillow, and she nestled the box closely as her eyelids became too heavy to keep open any longer. She drifted off into a deep sleep, until the sound of a voice jolted Cameron awake.
She popped up from her sleeping position and immediately grabbed for the knife holstered on to her thigh. “Don’t come any closer!” she yelled with a voice hoarse from the journey. It had been a while since she had to use it. She used her feet to scoot herself across the alley wall, creating more distance between them. The hand that wasn’t holding the knife gripped the box tightly, causing her knuckles to turn white. She blew a piece of black hair that had fallen in her view while keeping her eyes on the man in front of her. “Who are you?” she questioned, her volume a bit lower, while remaining ready to attack. Although it was relieving to see someone, the stories she had heard of people outside of the village led her to believe that it was a dog eat dog world, especially in New York.
x
As Alice questioned him, he came to a complete halt on the street. He had not planned on telling her why, and he figured with how reserved she was, she would not ask. But, he could also not find a reason to keep it from her. He turned to face her with a stone cold expression locked on his face. “Well, Miss Rohan,” he began in a hushed tone, as he did not want others to hear, “it seems as though a hex of sorts has been cast upon me. I was thinking that, uh, maybe your father was related in some way, seeing as he is the biggest threat to me and my crew currently, but Esmeralda confirmed, by your presence, it was not him.”
Victor laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder and met her gaze. “This means I have an enemy I am not aware of, which is a danger to my crew and…” his voice trailed off and his eyes lingered softly on her for a moment. He didn’t want to frighten her; she had already faced enough turmoil since she had been in his possession. “I shall be fine, I just need to get to the bottom of it!” He nearly shouted in a positive manner, almost to convince himself everything would be okay. “She says that they may be on the island, so later in the evening, I’ll need to sneak off as to a wee bit of investigating.” He removed the hand from her shoulder and began to walk again. “The boys and I will be down near the Inn, getting rid of the last bit of merchandise. If you would like, you can go to the shops and pick something out that you would like to bring back on the boat. But if you would wait for me to finish so I can accompany you, that is quite alright.” He pulled a small leather pouch that jingled with coins and placed it in her hand. “Please,” he smirked, “no ball gowns.”
He noted in his mind that he had to stop at George’s soon to see if the long awaited letter had arrived from the Governor. Victor was confused by his thoughts – he would be ecstatic to receive news that he would be allowed access to the port, but that would mean that Alice would return home to the posh lifestyle she belonged to, but he would never see her again. It is not like he and his motley crew would be invited to dinner. The Governor may even want retaliation for the kidnapping of his daughter. On the other hand, a letter of rejection could start a war between the pirates and the port’s government. He sighed at the thought, trying not to get himself too worked up before he even received it.
“Actually,” he began as he turned back around to face the woman, “I would like to show you something I think you may enjoy.” He grabbed her hand and led her off the street into a grassy field with a beaten path that cut through the middle. Vic released her hand as they followed the trail that ended with dense trees and the roar of the ocean. “Watch your step,” he warned as he held out an arm in case she slipped on the now rocky terrain beneath them. The last time he had said that to her, it was completely sarcastic, and now here he was, deeply concerned that she may hurt herself. Strange.
The roar of waves crashing grew closer as they cleared the trees and approached a grassy clearing that only had a wall of blue after it. A cliff. Victor’s favorite spot on the island, which until now, had only been inhabited by him. “For ten years,” he explain with a loud tone so she could hear him over the wind and waves, “I come here every time I visit the island to think or relax. Be careful near the edge though, quite a steep drop." He smiled as he brought her closer carefully so that she could take a peak.
Victor laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder and met her gaze. “This means I have an enemy I am not aware of, which is a danger to my crew and…” his voice trailed off and his eyes lingered softly on her for a moment. He didn’t want to frighten her; she had already faced enough turmoil since she had been in his possession. “I shall be fine, I just need to get to the bottom of it!” He nearly shouted in a positive manner, almost to convince himself everything would be okay. “She says that they may be on the island, so later in the evening, I’ll need to sneak off as to a wee bit of investigating.” He removed the hand from her shoulder and began to walk again. “The boys and I will be down near the Inn, getting rid of the last bit of merchandise. If you would like, you can go to the shops and pick something out that you would like to bring back on the boat. But if you would wait for me to finish so I can accompany you, that is quite alright.” He pulled a small leather pouch that jingled with coins and placed it in her hand. “Please,” he smirked, “no ball gowns.”
He noted in his mind that he had to stop at George’s soon to see if the long awaited letter had arrived from the Governor. Victor was confused by his thoughts – he would be ecstatic to receive news that he would be allowed access to the port, but that would mean that Alice would return home to the posh lifestyle she belonged to, but he would never see her again. It is not like he and his motley crew would be invited to dinner. The Governor may even want retaliation for the kidnapping of his daughter. On the other hand, a letter of rejection could start a war between the pirates and the port’s government. He sighed at the thought, trying not to get himself too worked up before he even received it.
“Actually,” he began as he turned back around to face the woman, “I would like to show you something I think you may enjoy.” He grabbed her hand and led her off the street into a grassy field with a beaten path that cut through the middle. Vic released her hand as they followed the trail that ended with dense trees and the roar of the ocean. “Watch your step,” he warned as he held out an arm in case she slipped on the now rocky terrain beneath them. The last time he had said that to her, it was completely sarcastic, and now here he was, deeply concerned that she may hurt herself. Strange.
The roar of waves crashing grew closer as they cleared the trees and approached a grassy clearing that only had a wall of blue after it. A cliff. Victor’s favorite spot on the island, which until now, had only been inhabited by him. “For ten years,” he explain with a loud tone so she could hear him over the wind and waves, “I come here every time I visit the island to think or relax. Be careful near the edge though, quite a steep drop." He smiled as he brought her closer carefully so that she could take a peak.
Caroline assessed the apartment as she walked in. It looked as though he had tidied up a bit since she was there earlier, but it was not like it was pristine. There were still Chinese take out boxes that littered some of the tables, and the pungent smell of smoke filled the apartment to the brim. After setting her bag down on the kitchen table, she breathed a sigh of relief after feeling how different the energy felt in his house compared to hers. Her apartment felt heavy, cold, and like something was always watching her. She, for the moment, felt safe.
"Oh, please. I won't put you out. I'm fine on the couch, I promise." After she spoke, she lifted her bag once more and walked over to the living room to set up her things next to the long couch. She searched her bag until she found a hair tie, and she sloppily piled her blonde hair onto of her head and worked to secure it. Once she was successful, she looked over to the man who was enjoying his cigarette at his desk. "Well, I hate to be rude, but I am completely exhausted. It's been a while since I've gotten a good night sleep. Do you have a blanket I could use? If you tell me where, I'll grab it." She meant what she said. The man was already doing enough for her, that she didn't want to inconvenience him by forcing him to wait on her.
She began to stare at all of the knickknacks that lined the walls, most she had never seen before. Some looked new, and some looked ancient. Before a few months ago, she never knew any of these things existed; the tangible was all she chose to believe in. Now that she knew there were other things out there, it filled her head with paranoia and worry. How could she be so naive? How many other people know about these sorts of creatures and... people? She looked back over to Thomas after investigating his apartment from the couch, and she forced a faint smile to be polite. But, in reality, everything about this mystery realm made her on edge. Hopefully she would get a proper night's sleep.
"Oh, please. I won't put you out. I'm fine on the couch, I promise." After she spoke, she lifted her bag once more and walked over to the living room to set up her things next to the long couch. She searched her bag until she found a hair tie, and she sloppily piled her blonde hair onto of her head and worked to secure it. Once she was successful, she looked over to the man who was enjoying his cigarette at his desk. "Well, I hate to be rude, but I am completely exhausted. It's been a while since I've gotten a good night sleep. Do you have a blanket I could use? If you tell me where, I'll grab it." She meant what she said. The man was already doing enough for her, that she didn't want to inconvenience him by forcing him to wait on her.
She began to stare at all of the knickknacks that lined the walls, most she had never seen before. Some looked new, and some looked ancient. Before a few months ago, she never knew any of these things existed; the tangible was all she chose to believe in. Now that she knew there were other things out there, it filled her head with paranoia and worry. How could she be so naive? How many other people know about these sorts of creatures and... people? She looked back over to Thomas after investigating his apartment from the couch, and she forced a faint smile to be polite. But, in reality, everything about this mystery realm made her on edge. Hopefully she would get a proper night's sleep.
Vic smirked as she passed him, feeling amused again by how uncomfortable she became around him. It was almost like a game to him. He swiveled around to face Alice as she waited for him to continue, and he held her gaze as he slipped on his shirt. “I am glad you like it,” he said as he nodded his head at the bird-shaped necklace sitting on her chest. “I think it fits you.” He winked and walked past her down the hallway to the heart of the inn. The men were moving about getting everything prepared for the day ahead, and Victor slipped right in to join them until everything was set.
“Alright, boys. Everything that we did not sell to our bulk buyers will be sold to the street vendors. I have a quick stop to make with Alice, and then we shall join you shortly after, yeah?” A collective “Aye!” was shouted back at them as the men began to move out of the inn. He said his goodbyes to Blue, as always, and signaled for Alice to follow him. After they stepped outside into the sunlight, Victor took a moment for a deep breath before continuing - the sun on his skin, next to water or a woman, was his favorite feeling. “We are heading to a friend’s. Esmeralda. She asked to meet you,” he vaguely explained as they walked down the already crowded street. The woman told him to bring Alice in to see if she could read anything off of her. If her father was responsible for a curse put on him, Esmeralda was confident enough that she could sense it.
Victor brushed his hair back and worked his hands into it until it stayed put in a knot. “I must warn you, she is a strange character; very inquisitive,” he chuckled. “But you needn’t worry, she is a friend of mine.” He looked a foot behind him, making sure Alice was keeping up with him. He slowed his pace slightly, noticing he was nearly making her jog to keep up with him, which caused him to snicker. “Must you be so slow, Alice?” he groaned, obviously joking. The smile he had been missing yesterday was back on his face today.
---------------------
As they walked into the dusty, dimly lit building, Esmeralda came to greet them in a thick Spanish accent. "Hello, Victor, welcome back. And this must be Alice," she inquired as she approached the girl. She paced in a circle around her, observing everything she could. "Well, Victor," she said, her voice gruff with age and tobacco, "you know how to pick your prisoners, aye?" Victor laughed at the remark. "Ah, yes. Always a talent of mine."
Once she was done eying the girl, she nodded to Victor and shook her head nonchalantly. This meant that Alice's dad was not responsible for the witchcraft that took place. This made his mind race; if it wasn't him, who could it be? He knew that he could have a boatload of enemies that he wasn't aware of - scorned love ones of someone he slaughtered, a surviving member a ship The Black Star had sunk. But with the possibilities endless, it would be quite difficult for him to find the answer.
"Esmeralda, always a pleasure," he said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. He nudged Alice with an elbow gently to signal her that they were going to leave. "We have got a bit of business to attend to. We shall you soon, yeah?" He waved and guided Alice out of the shop with a soft touch on the back until they reached the street again. "Well, we should be heading back. I suppose you'll need a change of clothes for after we leave the island. Don't exactly have maids on the boat, now do we?"
The fact that the letter from her father should be in his hands by sunset almost made it hard to focus on anything else. Once he had he the answer from him, he would be able to devise a plan of action to gain back control of the port. He knew one thing - he wasn't ready to return Alice to her home. Not yet.
“Alright, boys. Everything that we did not sell to our bulk buyers will be sold to the street vendors. I have a quick stop to make with Alice, and then we shall join you shortly after, yeah?” A collective “Aye!” was shouted back at them as the men began to move out of the inn. He said his goodbyes to Blue, as always, and signaled for Alice to follow him. After they stepped outside into the sunlight, Victor took a moment for a deep breath before continuing - the sun on his skin, next to water or a woman, was his favorite feeling. “We are heading to a friend’s. Esmeralda. She asked to meet you,” he vaguely explained as they walked down the already crowded street. The woman told him to bring Alice in to see if she could read anything off of her. If her father was responsible for a curse put on him, Esmeralda was confident enough that she could sense it.
Victor brushed his hair back and worked his hands into it until it stayed put in a knot. “I must warn you, she is a strange character; very inquisitive,” he chuckled. “But you needn’t worry, she is a friend of mine.” He looked a foot behind him, making sure Alice was keeping up with him. He slowed his pace slightly, noticing he was nearly making her jog to keep up with him, which caused him to snicker. “Must you be so slow, Alice?” he groaned, obviously joking. The smile he had been missing yesterday was back on his face today.
---------------------
As they walked into the dusty, dimly lit building, Esmeralda came to greet them in a thick Spanish accent. "Hello, Victor, welcome back. And this must be Alice," she inquired as she approached the girl. She paced in a circle around her, observing everything she could. "Well, Victor," she said, her voice gruff with age and tobacco, "you know how to pick your prisoners, aye?" Victor laughed at the remark. "Ah, yes. Always a talent of mine."
Once she was done eying the girl, she nodded to Victor and shook her head nonchalantly. This meant that Alice's dad was not responsible for the witchcraft that took place. This made his mind race; if it wasn't him, who could it be? He knew that he could have a boatload of enemies that he wasn't aware of - scorned love ones of someone he slaughtered, a surviving member a ship The Black Star had sunk. But with the possibilities endless, it would be quite difficult for him to find the answer.
"Esmeralda, always a pleasure," he said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. He nudged Alice with an elbow gently to signal her that they were going to leave. "We have got a bit of business to attend to. We shall you soon, yeah?" He waved and guided Alice out of the shop with a soft touch on the back until they reached the street again. "Well, we should be heading back. I suppose you'll need a change of clothes for after we leave the island. Don't exactly have maids on the boat, now do we?"
The fact that the letter from her father should be in his hands by sunset almost made it hard to focus on anything else. Once he had he the answer from him, he would be able to devise a plan of action to gain back control of the port. He knew one thing - he wasn't ready to return Alice to her home. Not yet.
Victor awoke almost an hour after he had fallen asleep, and he abruptly popped out of the bed at the realization that they needed to head out soon. He grabbed the blue shirt quickly off the sheets, and dashed into the hallway with it in his hand. He wouldn’t blame Alice if she didn’t want to join him, but he had to admit, he truly did enjoy her company – especially now that she was beginning to open up to him. When he had first taken her, he figured she would be like all of the high-class women he had dealt with in the past, who were usually very snobby and ostentatious. But not her. Even if she tried to put on a show, he was beginning to see who she really was.
He rapped on the door lightly before entering, and as the door loudly creaked open, he saw her standing by the window, hair flowing freely down her back. “Miss Rohan, have you made your decision?” he questioned her as he entered the room slowly. The look on the girl’s face made him realize his shirt was still off, but instead of rushing to try to cover himself, he stood there unabashed. Esmeralda told him to fight of the feelings of guilt or shame, and that was exactly what he was doing. Before Alice came into his life, he would have never cared about something so trivial. Why should he now? It was nothing she hadn’t seen before.
As he awaited her answer, his eyes scanned her up and down. Each day he had been with her, he noticed different things about her that he found quite attractive. Today, it was how elegant and graceful she was in her movements. She was almost like a ghost, floating while she walked or turned. He subconsciously cocked his head to the side as he stared at her, but once he caught himself, he nonchalantly shot his eyes to the floor. “So,” he cleared his throat, “what shall it be?”
He rapped on the door lightly before entering, and as the door loudly creaked open, he saw her standing by the window, hair flowing freely down her back. “Miss Rohan, have you made your decision?” he questioned her as he entered the room slowly. The look on the girl’s face made him realize his shirt was still off, but instead of rushing to try to cover himself, he stood there unabashed. Esmeralda told him to fight of the feelings of guilt or shame, and that was exactly what he was doing. Before Alice came into his life, he would have never cared about something so trivial. Why should he now? It was nothing she hadn’t seen before.
As he awaited her answer, his eyes scanned her up and down. Each day he had been with her, he noticed different things about her that he found quite attractive. Today, it was how elegant and graceful she was in her movements. She was almost like a ghost, floating while she walked or turned. He subconsciously cocked his head to the side as he stared at her, but once he caught himself, he nonchalantly shot his eyes to the floor. “So,” he cleared his throat, “what shall it be?”
The sight of Alice approaching the table made Victor smile, and he scooted his seat over a bit to make some room for her. "Aye, yes, love, it was fine. I have slept in much stranger places," he chuckled as he picked at his plate. He would surely miss the meals and hospitality at the inn when they left Isla Imorda, but he knew soon enough he would itch to be on the water if he tried to stay. He looked over to her and eyed her neck. "Ah," he said, squinting his eyes as he examined it. It looked to be okay, nothing irritated or infected. She had looked like she had a rough night of sleep; Her appearance was fine, but something in her eyes told him she was tired. "If you would rather stay in today, Miss Rohan, I can task a crew member to sit outside your door to keep an eye on things while I'm out." He nodded to reassure her that he meant what he said, and moments later, he finished his breakfast. "Delicious as always, Blue!" he nearly shouted across the room to Madam Blue.
"Well," he began as he used a cloth to dab his mouth, "shouldn't be too much work today. We sold most of what we needed yesterday to get the supplies we need to sail again. We shall stay on the island until we hear back from your father, and then be off to the port once again." Victor began having second thoughts after he visited Esmeralda about returning her if her father had rejected their demands. It would make the whole operation pointless and Vic look weak, which he did not want either to happen. But, Victor took great pride in his word, so he decided that if they needs are not met, he would stall a little bit. Possibly negotiate. He would not quit until he got access to the port again.
Sarah ran over, as always, and grabbed the plate almost immediately after Victor put down his fork, and he said a quiet "thank you," as she began to leave the table. Normally on a trip to the inn, he would be flirting wildly and drinking already, but there was business to be handled. He stood up, groaning as he stretched his long body, and looked down to the small girl next to him. “We shall be heading out within the hour. Let me know what you decide.” He pushed in his chair and headed down the long hallway to find his room.
He removed his shirt and plopped down on the bed, sighing in relief to feel the softness under him. He wanted to attempt to get some shut eye before the day, as he didn’t get much the night before. Soon enough, his eyelids became heavy, and he drifted off to a heavy sleep.
"Well," he began as he used a cloth to dab his mouth, "shouldn't be too much work today. We sold most of what we needed yesterday to get the supplies we need to sail again. We shall stay on the island until we hear back from your father, and then be off to the port once again." Victor began having second thoughts after he visited Esmeralda about returning her if her father had rejected their demands. It would make the whole operation pointless and Vic look weak, which he did not want either to happen. But, Victor took great pride in his word, so he decided that if they needs are not met, he would stall a little bit. Possibly negotiate. He would not quit until he got access to the port again.
Sarah ran over, as always, and grabbed the plate almost immediately after Victor put down his fork, and he said a quiet "thank you," as she began to leave the table. Normally on a trip to the inn, he would be flirting wildly and drinking already, but there was business to be handled. He stood up, groaning as he stretched his long body, and looked down to the small girl next to him. “We shall be heading out within the hour. Let me know what you decide.” He pushed in his chair and headed down the long hallway to find his room.
He removed his shirt and plopped down on the bed, sighing in relief to feel the softness under him. He wanted to attempt to get some shut eye before the day, as he didn’t get much the night before. Soon enough, his eyelids became heavy, and he drifted off to a heavy sleep.
Caroline’s thoughts were turning to pure gibberish as she tried to piece together everything that Thomas attempting to help her understand. The red wine had a calming effect over her physicality of her nervous energy and helped the trembling come to a pause, but it almost felt as if her brain would short-circuit if any more information was to be given to her. The man in front of her seemed to know enough to fight the mysterious entities that had introduced themselves into her life. As if they were a white flag, Caroline raised her arms up in defeat momentarily before wrapping them back around her legs. “I’ll take you up on your offer, Thomas. I’ve gotta get some of my shit together. Make yourself at home.”
Without making eye contact with the investigator, she scooted her bar stool in, went to pick up her bra and dress that had been tossed on the floor earlier, and went back inside the room that had just been her prison. She decided to pack lightly for now; she did not know how long she would be away from home. A few tee shirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, and her favorite hoodie were thrown messily into a large tote bag, along with some make up and toiletries. The whole process took about ten minutes, and soon enough, she returned to the island in the kitchen and plopped the bag on the counter top. Her eyes scanned her apartment for a few seconds, visualizing all that had happened since she moved in, but she forced herself to stop before she got upset. Whatever this menace was, it was hitting her where it hurt.
She turned to meet Thomas’s gaze after finishing the contents in her wine glass. “Well,” she seemingly blurted in the quiet room, “I’m ready when you are. I guess I’ll take you in the truck, since you, uh, didn’t drive here.” She forced a smile as she looked over the countertops to make sure she was not leaving anything important behind. The fact that she was running away from her problems instead of trying to face them head on was making her feel more defeated than ever. That wasn’t how she was raised; her father always made sure that she stayed strong in situations in times of trouble. She prided herself on being independent, and now on top of losing Keith, she was starting to lose that too. She audibly sighed at the realization as she grabbed a baggy of weed out of the counter and stuffed it into her purse. “Let’s go, huh?”
Once she got a good night sleep in her, her plan was to get to know the man better. It wasn't every day that she met someone magical, and it was definitely a rarity to meet someone this accommodating in New York City. She was sure that his past must have been some sort of inclination as to how he became the way he was - serious, brooding, looking as if he was on the edge of falling asleep at any moment. Caroline had trouble believing that someone could become a person like Thomas without something dark and fascinating happening to them first, and hearing the story of his life seemed like it would be as mysterious as what was happening to her.
Without making eye contact with the investigator, she scooted her bar stool in, went to pick up her bra and dress that had been tossed on the floor earlier, and went back inside the room that had just been her prison. She decided to pack lightly for now; she did not know how long she would be away from home. A few tee shirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, and her favorite hoodie were thrown messily into a large tote bag, along with some make up and toiletries. The whole process took about ten minutes, and soon enough, she returned to the island in the kitchen and plopped the bag on the counter top. Her eyes scanned her apartment for a few seconds, visualizing all that had happened since she moved in, but she forced herself to stop before she got upset. Whatever this menace was, it was hitting her where it hurt.
She turned to meet Thomas’s gaze after finishing the contents in her wine glass. “Well,” she seemingly blurted in the quiet room, “I’m ready when you are. I guess I’ll take you in the truck, since you, uh, didn’t drive here.” She forced a smile as she looked over the countertops to make sure she was not leaving anything important behind. The fact that she was running away from her problems instead of trying to face them head on was making her feel more defeated than ever. That wasn’t how she was raised; her father always made sure that she stayed strong in situations in times of trouble. She prided herself on being independent, and now on top of losing Keith, she was starting to lose that too. She audibly sighed at the realization as she grabbed a baggy of weed out of the counter and stuffed it into her purse. “Let’s go, huh?”
Once she got a good night sleep in her, her plan was to get to know the man better. It wasn't every day that she met someone magical, and it was definitely a rarity to meet someone this accommodating in New York City. She was sure that his past must have been some sort of inclination as to how he became the way he was - serious, brooding, looking as if he was on the edge of falling asleep at any moment. Caroline had trouble believing that someone could become a person like Thomas without something dark and fascinating happening to them first, and hearing the story of his life seemed like it would be as mysterious as what was happening to her.
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