$tealin' Life [Jimmylost, Closed]

[Bane]

Cai Frazier, Orphan of District 12

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Upon waking my hand instantly clenches on the knife resting in my hand. My eyes scan the room quickly, confirming that no one is here. With a groan I sit up, my rough torn blanket sliding off my upper body, causing the coat of coal dust just from over night to billow up. I don't cough. My lungs have been breathing the stuff for so long, this doesn't even slow down my breathing.

Rising into a crouch, I scurry across the floor of the dark room to the small box in the corner. I open the top slowly, revealing the rest of my food stores. All that's left is a very thin slice of bread and the dregs of water in the bottom of a jar, which even though it's sealed has a gray tinge. I pick up the slice of bread and eat it slowly, trying to fill myself up as efficiently as possible. After licking the last crumbs off the floor, I open my jar of water and take a sip, then quickly close it again and put it back. It hasn't rained, so I can't waste any water.

Finally I'm ready to leave, and look at the door cautiously. No shadows flash across the line of light around it, but you can never be too cautious. That door is the same door the Peacekeeper came through. I can see him, barging in through the door, glancing around before coming towards me and grabbing my arm, fist coming towards my mouth...

In a hustle of frightened movement I burst out the door and close it behind me, panting loudly, sweat streaming down my face. It's not real. All a dream. All a dream... The scar on my face disagrees.

I sneak out the hall and into the main Hob, which is already starting to be active. These people have nothing worth stealing, they won't be worth my time. I slip into the street, coal dust clouding up around my knees. There's the place where he dragged me. Blood, my blood, splatters across the cobblestones...

I break into a sprint, panting resuming. Memories coming this easily, the only safe place is the stores, away from the Seam. They are richer anyway, I might be able to make a big catch today.

Arriving in the Town Square, one shop immediately catches my eye. Not very large, not very flashy. Owned by poorer people, who can't bribe the Peacekeepers to look for a thief if they find things missing. The perfect target. I enter the store slowly, going straight around the walls until I've sneaked behind the counter, which is currently unmanned. My venturing fingers find a small cash box. I smile, and pick the entire thing up, putting it under my rag of a shirt. Then I start trying to sneak out of the shop.

---

OOC: I wasn't sure what the store sold, so I just had him steal some money. Does this work?

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[jimmylost]

OOC: sorry for the incredibly late response I've been moving cities while simultaneously dealing with a virus and generally letting things slide.

It had been a simple choice to make when they heard the calls of Dustin's father from upstairs. On of them had to go check on the injured man and it would either be Dustin, who was busy stocking shelves, or Ashes who was 'manning' the cash. Since there where no customers in the store at the moment it was clear who's job was less important. Dustin was unable to see the cash from behind the shelf nor could he hear the footsteps of his sister as she made her way upstairs but he knew she had gone just as well as she knew that he knew.

The bell above the shop door signaled that someone had entered. Dustin stood up from the knee he had taken to stock a lower shelf. "Hello can I help you" he said in the direction of the door. No response "Hello?" he repeated while making his way around the shelf just in time to see the boy making a beeline for the door. "Hey!" he shouted attempting to cut him off at the door.

The vantage point of the top of the stairs had given Ashes the perfect view to watch the thief at work but far too much space to stop him. She took off down the stairs Dustin was nearer to the boy but without any turns she was gaining more speed.

[Bane]

Cai Frazier, Orphan of District 12

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The voice as I come in makes me nervous, but I'm glad they didn't notice me until I already had the money. Evasion I can manage, especially in a store with shelves and such. I have to go straight for the door as long as possible. I can tell the voice from earlier heard me from the shout, but I just keep aiming for the door.

The sound of feet pounding comes from me, and I sneak a glance behind me. My heart immediately jumps into my throat. There's a girl running down the stairs! She's gonna catch me!

If they catch me, show how I stole the money box, the Peacekeepers will get me for sure, no bribes needed. They'll beat me for stealing, maybe even bring out the whip. Maybe even the Peacekeeper from that day will be the one, and he'll recognize me. He'll be the one to bring the pain to my back, reopen the scars. Scars he helped make...

Memory of pain flashes through my back, and I stumble a bit, almost dropping the money box. I quickly catch it as it starts to fall and tighten my grip on it. This is life for the next few weeks, maybe even month if they haven't emptied it recently. Fear that the box is actually empty grips my gut, and I feel a laugh of extreme nervousness in my throat. I gulp it down and rush at the door, slamming into it. The impact sends it flying open, bell ringing wildly. My hitting the door leaves me dazed, so I can only slowly stagger out of the store.

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[jimmylost]

The boy slips past Dustin's outstretched fingers and out the door. Ashes has gained enough speed to catch him her only pause is before the door. A quick and silent exchange passes between the two. Dustin would argue that Ashes stay here. Ashes reminds him that this is his fault and she's going to fix it. He can fix it. No he can stop it from happening again. He's not going to stop her. She knows he's not. All of this is communicated in less then a second, relying more on their understanding of each other to skip passed the parts that would waste time. The door slams behind Ashes and the barrier between them results in an almost physical reaction between the two.

Ashes:
It's like a snap of an elastic band. That constant relief that Dustin is close and safe dissipates and leaves a hollow in my chest. Perhaps it's unhealthy to need to be so close to my brother to feel comfortable, but it's a simple truth that he is now and will always be the only person in the world I trust. Everyone else is an enemy, especially the little thief attempting to widen the distance between himself and the store.

Here's another truth, I'm small and not all that strong. I am most defiantly not helpless but when you don't have the strength to get your way directly you become quite good at getting your way using other means. I'm quiet and good at going un-noticed and maybe I could catch up with the kid. Maybe I could beat him directly he doesn't look that strong himself but why take a risk at failure using lesser skills.

So I let the boy gain some distance and follow silently from at least a block away. Hopefully he'll think he got away, then he can lead me where he feels safe, and I can show him how wrong he is.

[Bane]

Cai Frazier, Orphan of District 12

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As I slip out of the shop without the sounds of pursuit, I finally let my gut unclench. I have a chance to escape with the money! I may have messed up and getting it, but if I get away with the money box, what does it matter? I got money and got away!

My feet pound on the cobblestones as I jog for the Hob, my body weaving through the rapidly thinning crowds. My cheerfulness knows no bounds at this moment, but I'm not safe yet. Not until the money is in my box and their box has been sold. I can't leave any clues other than cold hard cash. Even that won't last long, since food is better for me than money.

After a few minutes of traversing the streets I'm finally at the Hob. After glancing furtively around I slip in. It's a busy day, and no one notices me scurrying past. When I hope no one is looking I speed through the door into the abandoned hall. My footsteps echo in the now empty space as I walk towards my room, an exited spring in my step. This must be the most I've ever stolen at once! I've hit the mother-load! There's no way for my life to go but up now!

The unheard of, a smile stretches across my face from ear to ear as I open the box and began counting money. I've even managed to temporarily fight off the memories with my happiness, although that can't last very long.

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[jimmylost]

It doesn't take long for the boy to think he's alone, his pace slows as does mine. He's still moving fairly fast but at a pace that allows me to keep the proper distance from him for following.

Shadow distance

I stumble slightly as the thought mixin' in with a old memory and a terrifying voice. I look to see if my change in step has alerted my prey.

Prey

I don't let the thought trip me up this time but I feel the cold sensation creeping into my stomach and the moisture leave my mouth. Old memories are creeping around my mind and I can't understand why. I follow people like this all the time, just 'cuz I leaned it from him don't mean I remember every time. Why now?

I follow the little thief until the path becomes something familiar and my question is answered. The hob, the kid's headin' for the black market with our cash. I instantly wish Dustin where here, or that I had listened to him instead of chasing this piece of trash. His presence would be able to keep me grounded, keep me from slipping into the old me like I can already feel myself doin'.

No turn'n back now though, that kid's gotta 'nuf profit of ours on 'im to do us some hefty damage. I can't let 'im get away just cuz the dirt in The Hob's floor make me a twinge uncomfortable. I let myself close in the distance 'tween me and the boy counting on the crowd 'round here to mask my presence. For a second I think I lost 'im, but this old place hasn't changed much and I still got the layout pretty much memorized. I know the lil' hallway he musta turned down easy enough. I reach it just as a door slams near the end. No doubt that's where the lil termite is hidin' with our cash.

The coal dust that settles over everythin' 'round here is thick enough to mask what lil sound my footsteps would make. I reach into my pocket and pull out a small blade. Dustin don't know I've got this thing on me. It's not really any sorta weapon really, just what was meant to be a letter opener sharped down to a more dangerous point. I chose it cuz I figured the more fancy design on the blade would come across as more threatening then a kitchen knife (which is what I had 'for that).

The knife clatters slightly against the other thing Dustin don't know I keep with me. A nice little lighter I bought last time I set foot in The Hob. The presence of it boost my confidence more then the knife. 'A course I don't intend to do this boy any harm, just scare 'im bad enough that he give me back what's mine and never darken our doorstep again. Dustin and 'is daddy may not have enough extra funds to bribe the peacekeepers 't keep 'em safe but they got somethin' better. They got me.

With that thought I kick in the door the thievin' rodent's hole.

" 'Kay then ya little piece of slag, ya best give me back what mine 'for I 'av to cause ya some harm"

It's with this announcement that I realized how far I've slipped back into my old mindset to be speakin' with my daddies accent. I don't let the shock play across my face but I do some mental wrangling to attempt to get ahold of myself 'for I do somethin' stupid. Something the old Ashes would have done.

[Bane]

Since Dustin got Reaped, I guess this plot is over?

[jimmylost]

OOC: I sent you a PM about it, we can finish up this thread just with Ashes and think of a new direction to go in or end it after it's done whatever you like.

[Bane]

Cai Frazier, Orphan of District 12

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I squeak in terror as my the door to my room flies open, to reveal the girl from the store. My stomach lurches as I realize she has a knife. She's going to kill me! I jump up, away from the open moneybox, and draw my own knife. " 'Kay then ya little piece of slag, ya best give me back what mine 'for I 'av to cause ya some harm," she says, and I can feel my hands shaking in fear.

She's attacking me, in my own room, just like the Peacekeeper. My entire body trembles in fear as I stagger backwards, away from her, knife in a vice like grip, held in-front of me. Images of the Peacekeeper start to impose themselves over her, and soon enough all I can see is that night, the Peacekeeper barging in, yelling...

"Please! Take what you want! Just don't hurt me! Just... Just.... GO AWAY!" I screech, tears of fear dripping down my face and a cold sweat streaming down my entire body. I don't know what's happening. Unreasoning, paralyzing fear is all that's left. It fills my mind, blacking out all thoughts other than those centered on my fate. This time he won't stop. This time, he'll kill me. And I'm helpless.

I don't even remember the girl actually in my room ever existed at this moment, when terror seizes me and breaks down all rational in my brain. All that I have at this moment is terror. My knife know lies on the floor, my grip released my the way my entire body shakes. It will be useless against him.

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[jimmylost]

Well that's better a little co-operation is all I ask after all. I pick up what's mine off the floor of the dirty little room. I Jeep my hand on my knife and my eyes on the boy, suspecting any manner of trick. There's no need though, he just keeps sobbin' in his corner. Didn't street kids use to be tougher then this? I shake my head in confusion. Did I go too far?

Nonsense I didn't even lay a hand on him. All I did was yell and I've hear way worse threats just made casually around the seam. Of I did. I haven't been around that place in years. It can't have changed that much though.

This kid, what's the matter with him? He's rolling around on the floor pulling even more gray dirt onto his body. I see a knife near him, he must have been holding it. Well see there, not much has changed. I reach out to pull it away from him, the way he's moving around he might hurt himself.

As I reach out my hand a simple need for answers, and quite frankly quiet, seizes me. My hand moves passed the knife and finds it's way to the boy's shoulder.

"Kid? It was just a threat, the hell's gotten into you?" Not sure I've ever seen anyone fall apart this easily.