Look Alive. Stay Alive. (Cameo)

[*]

The mirror reflects nothing but a harsh stare. His dark eyes peering back at him. They were still; very still yet calm. Never did they waver as he flexes his fingers inside of the white, pristine gloves that cover each finger and the palms of his hands. Gently and slowly, he taps them alongside his legs and with a few hefty breaths to match the nerves zipping through his mind. The moment his eyes closed is when the locker shuts with a quick push and the echo sounds out through the locker room.

"Alright ladies. Lets go. Move those asses and get out to the field and I don't mean to take no bathroom stops." The voice penetrates the locker room; deep and unwavering. All around him, the sounds of the fellow peacekeepers finish up with some shutting their locker doors while others are clipping their helmets to their suits and installing their weapons and batons to their hips and idle chatter seems to kill the silence. "Ruze. Get going. Crowd control. Quit wasting my time."

"Yes'sir." The white helmet is held tight in his hands, holding the protective equipment close to his person as he files out of the room with the others, coming in last as the door shuts from behind him and his vision instantly searches for the one person that he can confide in, curious if she will be in this brigade as well for whatever this mission will allow. It is to his best ability that before he places his helmet on his head, that he barely notices the blonde hair and her shape not more than ten feet away from him and he's instantly taking a few extra steps just to make sure to fall into step behind her.

"Cadet Pryce. Look alive. Missions abound today." He mentions and quickly pulls his helmet over his head and pushes the visor down to see her face without the shield; exchanging a smile for her that quickly fades a moment later. "Do you know if Kyanite is staying home with the baby right now? I don't want her out here. Nor do I want Mira out here when this is going down. Things can easily get out of hand."

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Vy Pryce

Such length. When did this happen? At what point did Vy's blonde locks reach so far? Could of sworn last year it didn't get past her ears, and now. It's as if officially having a boyfriend for the first time has come with much more then the tittle. Hair extends to be more feminine, and a smile of some form hardly ever leaves her lips. All the things she swore she'd never do, never have, she's come to appreciate more then ever imaginable. "Lets get moving." Shouts from the locker door and calls for Vy's attention. Now for the part of her life that isn't exactly perfect, the job that seemed so right not too long ago.

With head gear in hand she forms out in the large gathering room at the academy, ready to fall in and take orders as usual. Sounds like today might actually be interesting. Something's certainly going on. Her eyes travel to the other recruits, automatically searching for the one she calls her own. 'Course she wouldn't admit it or show it here, but they can at least act like good friends.

Fingers curl around the edge of her helmet when a voice startles her from behind. Any other place she might even react a bit more harshly, but she knows better when in uniform. And luckily so, as the voice quickly registers to be Jeran's, and a brief glance establishes it more. Instantly a smile is sliding across her lips. "Yes sir." She teasingly responds with when he orders to look alive. After last night she's surprised she doesn't appear as hyper as Brooklyn in the morning, even more so with the one she loves currently behind her. It's as if nothing could possibly harm her on this mission now.

"I think she mentioned staying in today." Vy reassures when Jeran worries over his sister being near the chaos being expected. Something in the Blonde tells her Ky would be smart enough to go home if it looked like things were brewing up. If she's not in the safety of the house already. And speaking of which a Commander calls for everyone to share what's about to occur.

"Attention." Draws all the soldiers and forms them accordingly. "We have a public punishment to attend to. Make sure everything stays safe and orderly for our district two citizens. All precautions towards preventing any chaos." And with that they're marched to their transportation. From the corner of Vy's eye she spots the large vehicle that's most likely holding the criminal. Not every day there's a public whipping, must be something serious.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

"It's your lucky day, you're actually going home alive." Alive? Is that what this is? Because to Charlie it feels as though she died a while back, to be stuck in eternal torment. Trapped in a dark, damp cell to reflect on all the mistakes she holds from the past. To struggle in the attempt to physically & mentally recuperate, only to be torn apart worse once a little progress is made. They lied to her already with a promise of early release if she provided worthy information, no point in believing them now. So no expression comes forth while she's dragged out of her cage, just acceptance for the fight she no longer maintains.

It's surprisingly not the brightness of an interrogation room that greets her sensitive vision. Instead brutal rays of the sun beat down on her fare skin and squinted eyelids. Are they actually telling the truth? Is she returning home? Wherever that may be.

Overwhelming heat burns every exposed inch of her body, yet the warmth has an unexplainable comfort to it. As if Charlie had the desire to simply lay down here for her recovery, only feet away from those heavy walls that contain so much torture within them. But what's waiting for her back in district two doesn't sound any better. No citizen is allowed back without punishment. No matter how much pain they were already put through. Will she be able to handle any more? Or is this only a presentation? A death in the streets to warn everyone of who's in command.

Guess none of that matters since she has no willpower left to resist.

In no time she's brutally shaken out of her deep slumber, only to awake handcuffed within the back of a vehicle. What can be said, not even the cries of the other prisoners could make her a light sleeper. Not many other ways to escape from reality. But now she won't be allowed anywhere except for here. To endure every ounce of what's to come.

Defeat.

Like a rag-doll she's yanked from the truck. Already a large crowd has formed from earlier shopping, probably curious over the commotion occurring. Not that often does a criminal come about from the outstanding district two citizens. And to no surprise none of them look familiar. It's been too long since she was shipped to the outside of the district, where the misfits of all kinds resides, and that's exactly how they all stare at her. A criminal that doesn't belong. Someone to fear and look down upon.

No one shouts of unfairness, or protests. Even if they thought it, they wouldn't dare question the Panem ways. If that was the case, as all their expressions clearly screams of agreement. They find no wrong in the sight of someone being secured against a whipping post. They cheer when a Commander warns them of whats to happen when one defies the Capitol's Law. They clap when the whip snaps through the air. Most likely enjoying the pained features presented, because it's not them.

[*]

Public punishment is something not to be taken lightly, not in the least. There is always something to do when it comes to a mission like this whether it's crowd control or serving the punishment themselves. It will never be a dull moment because family members or friends will almost always stir up a bit of conversation or movement. That's what they are going to be used for. Crowd control has to be the most exciting thing that new recruits and cadets can do. To contain a fire that might start to rage out of control. It's their job to put a lid on it and make sure that the flicker of flames are snuffed out before any damage can be done.

"Good, cause I don't want Kyanite out in town today. I wish there was a way to warn her." HIs voice lowers to a baratone, whispering out to Vy about his concerns. No sooner than a moment later, the troops begin to file out and into the open area. With visors closed and guns at the ready, resting on shoulders, they start to flood out of the building and into the open crowd. The front of his visor followed a few of the other keepers as they are lead into another direction, splitting Jeran and Vy up in the process.

The people trudged forward in attempts to try to get a better look into the flowing white keepers and to see the accused. Though, the convicted hasn't arrived just yet. For the moment, containment is what is needed as the keeper in charge takes his place beside the whipping post, barking out orders and positions for the newest arrivals to take. A cold feeling washes over Jeran's features when the man points to him and then the spot near the post. Nodding, he looks over to the vehicle and then back to the man he now stands beside. His face is uncovered and unjust as the stern look is cast upon the vehicles arriving. The hardness on his brows is hard to mistake for being assigned to punishments for far too long and the winkles in his forehead tells him easily his age, along with the salt and pepper hair and receding hairline.

"Whose being punished?" He questions lightly, not exactly expecting an answer. The only answer he gets from the captain in front of him is nothing more than just 'a dangerous criminal. Who else?'.

From behind him, he can hear the crowd talking - mere chatter- amongst themselves. Certain words, though, makes his ears burn from the insults and the language. Inside his helmet, he squints his eyes and then glances to the person being dragged out, though the only thing he can see is the shape of a woman. Puffing out his chest and taking a deep breath, he has to become nothing more than a cold-blooded man; a capitol's man. This was just a hard job to complete.

"What's going down? Keeper? What's their name? I hope we get to see some bloodshed for their crimes." One man cackles and Jeran instantly tenses up. To him, bloodshed is nothing to be happy about nor is it to be celebrated. Not when his own sister's life was attempted to be taken twice along with the ones that he cares for and knows. With the laws, he knows that bloodshed is to be had to those that are criminals. Those that deserve it... those that -

"Char...lie?" Every muscle that was tense suddenly relaxes as one of the men behind him that was voicing out obscenities bumps into him and makes the gun limber in his hands. With quick, lightning fast reactions, the butt of the gun is shoved against the guys chest as he slams him back into the crowd for them to catch their fellow district member.

"Stay. Back. Civilian or you'll be catching yourself in her shoes next. You got me? Get back, now. Touch me again, and I'll show you what the capitol does to those offenders who touches their forces." Jeran's voice never cracks, but holds that deathly tone so uncharacteristic for him. The man throws his hands up and stands, backing away before folding his arms up in front of him and begins to watch the commotion as the woman is even closer and is pushed up to the post.

"Charlie... no." His words crack, the moment her eyes meet with his blackened visor helmet and nothing but a pitiful feeling jerks his stomach in the wrong direction.

"Her crimes... and her punishment is to set an example for each and every single one of you..." The captain's voice yells out. That voice holds nothing but malice and unconcern for a human being. All the while, the heart of the man inside the peacekeeper suit, made to stand beside the post, wrenches and sends nothing but painful images into his head.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

There's no point in listening to the crowd, nor looking at them for that matter. If it was up to Charlie she would fade out everything going on. Decided on death rather then being sent back to this cruel life, crippled & weak. And now the torture of pain and humiliation in one. Her cold, dark cell is sounding more desirable by the minute. Being secured to the post as nothing but murmurs shout at her from every direction. Then a very distinct voice slowly draws her focus, and her forehead slide off of the cold metal to discover whom it belongs to.

Jeran.

The sun no longer feeds her bruised & scrapped exterior. It's a bitter temperature that her cheekbone rests on. Such a familiar feeling, one that she sinks into & absorbs. Just like that voice. It's so much deeper then she last recalls. Distressed, and assertive...and behind one of those shiny white helmets. The first strike should of been given at that moment, because nothing could hurt more.

As much as she wants to glance away, she doesn't budge from glaring at where his eyes must be. Can she still reach the boy in there as she always did before? Or have they taken that away from her to? Her features beg for him to leave. To not witness the event about to occur. But a hard sting swipes across her back, and he's just standing there. She's forced to scream out. Her forehead slamming against the metal pole as if that might numb away the spreading sensation. And to think that it doesn't even stop there.

Every swing has her muscles tensing and falling weak shortly after. Couple of times she finds herself waking up to the brutal lashing, until she finally feels her body falling to the unforgiving ground. She's been released, and nothing but pain consumes her.


From the crowd Vy could instinctively see the hesitation within Jeran. She had learned to spot him from the others in full gear; the way his height stands just slightly from the extremely tall and the average, or how his build is different from any of them. How he's so perfect in her eyes. But that confidence his stature usually has shifted only a tad. Something's wrong, and her gut tells her he knows this female criminal.

"Everything okay here Cadet Ruze?" She questions once in close proximities, and the other soldiers have dissipated away. Everyone's moving out but him.

[*]

His heart is pounding away somewhere deep within the confinds of his chest. The beating almost so bad that it pulses in his ears and causes him to feel and hear nothing but the pain that the girl in front of him is fixing to endure for her crimes. For some reason, within his helmet, he's glad that darker shade of glass is keeping his face hidden from Charlie. Because the moment she starts to look at him, he bites deep into his cheek, trying to concetrate and take the pain away before the first last is even given to her. No sooner than her hands are bound, pulled on each side and her knees are on the ground does the crack of the whip echo out and he closes his eyes until the first scream penetrates his ear and his stature declines.

"No... no. no." His voice barely makes a whisper, thankfully hidden and muffled by the helmets usefulness. Lash after lash, he can't stand to watch the punishment that has befallen upon his old friend.

Friend...

He rejected her. She wasn't his friend anymore. Was she? He had thrown away something precious to them both. Thrown away an artifact that had proven their friendship as youngsters and severed the bond. This girl - this Charlie Solo - wasn't part of his circle anymore. No, she was the opposite of him. She was a criminal while he was the law. He was suppose to stand here and take this as his punishment as well.

And how bad it was hurting.

Images and conversations began to appear. With the ninth lash, he watched her head loll to the side and her eyes draw to a close and her body became limp against the bounding ropes until the captain walked over to her and put his hand under her chin and then a sudden movement and resonating 'clap' happened when his palm met with her cheek.

Jerking slightly but staying still, Jeran's breath hitches and he looks away for once, and for some reason, memories start to flood his mind. None in particular, just hearing her laughter and her hand in his. How she used to get him to explore and the first time that they ever met back in kindergarten. There was something about chalk and the teacher that he couldn't quite make out, but he shifted the gun in his hand when the male civilian began to inch closer to him and with a stern grasp on the weapon, clicked the saftey off and bobbled his head in his direction until the man backed off again, but not before throwing something toward the criminal recieving her last two lashes.

"That's it. Back. Get out of here now." Jeran growls, shoving the butt of his gun into the shoulder of the man twice as hard as he can and by the third hit, he finds himself on the ground while another peacekeeper pins him on the ground with his knee and fusses with the unruley man.

"Ruze. Untie her." Comes the barking order when he turns to see the girl barely even able to hang on to the post in front of her. Her hair all a mess and sweat dropping down her face. Removing the barrier in front of his eyes with the click of a button and a 'swish', he can see the damage on her face already, as well as the bruises on her arms and purple fingers.

"Yes, sir." He responds and slowly walks over to the girl and just as he passes the captain, his arm is securely latched on to and with a meaningful pause, keeps his sights in front of him, while Jeran's features tries to see the kind of man standing in front of him.

"Get that peice of trash out of my sights. Warn her to next time to stay out of my district." He mocks and his fingers that are latched onto Jeran's protected arm releases him and just like that, walks away stirring up dust in his wake.

"Sir." He nods to him, his eyes trying to follow him out as the soldiers began to disapate from around him and leave him to fulfill his duties. Cleanup squad of one.

"Char..." He starts to say as he walks over to her and bends down to his knees. With shaky fingers, he starts to mess with the first of the ropes that keeps her bound onto the post. "Don't come back, Charlie." He states in a hushed voice, looking at her half closed eyes. "Are you... don't fall asleep on me. You need to get out of here. Okay?"

His intentions are good. His fears are imminent because he's afraid to see her wind up dead, but one look at her back has that severe pain wretching his stomach to see the marks on her back. How many did he count? How many does it look like? Fourteen? Twenty lashes? Her back looks swollen and red. Blood seeping through the wounds that he knows has to hurt. He heard how much pain Dunham was in when he had the fourty lashes for disbanding from the peacekeepers and trespassing on his own home thanks to his father. This was horrible to think that she didn't even harm anyone.

For a moment, his eyes scan out into the district. A lot of the crowd had dispersed but there was a few still left, snickering to the peacekeeper who got the priviledge to clean up what was done. Moving to the other side, he quickly tugged the ropes off and removed them from her other hand as her body crumpled to the ground and with a hefty breath, fought against the urge to just leave her there and be a good little peacekeeper.

No.

Instead, he stayed.

His gloved hand reaching to her arm and rolling her to her side before he voice, pained and sharp, came to greet him.

"Everything okay here CAdet Ruze?"

"I'm sorry, Charlie." He states, completelly dumbfounded on what to say or how to help. He was already hearing a bit of laughter somewhere in the distance. That could only pose one of two questions.

Were they laughing at him? Or were they laughing at her?

"Relax, Charlie. I'll get someone to take care of you." He mentions to her and gets another look at her back. The last thing she needs is to get dirt or something into those deep cuts so, he leaned her back closer to her front and moved her left leg to a different position and moved her left arm to steady her body from collapsing into the dirt. Only then did he notice the peice of tattered woven material.

"Why... why do you have this? Why did you keep it? I threw it away." His voice is nothing but accusing, growing louder with each voice. With a little bit of forced hatred, he began to pull on the bracelett, tugging to get the silly thing off her wrist. "I told you, we weren't friends anymore. So, why did you dig it out of the garbage?"

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

A faint voice warns her to leave. But as much as she wants to draw closer to the warmth of that familiar tone, she can't. All she can do is succumb to the painful weakness overcoming her body. The darkness that so willingly desires to welcome her. Numbness that she's begging to withhold. Instead she focuses upon his words though. After all, her battle isn't over with yet. "Jeran." She whispers out through dried, cracked lips & slanted eyes. Now she's awake after brutally meeting with the concrete floor. Lucky her.

When did Jeran get so near? When did the loud noise of the citizens dissipate into nothing? Like any of that should really be on the top of her concern list currently. But her childhood hero was within reaching distance, she was certain of that. No one else would move her body so delicately, cautious as to not roll her on her worn back. Every inch of her throbs with pain nonetheless, but he's here. Somehow that makes it all alright. Just like when they were kids.

Another person's words float about around the overwhelming misery. Still Charlie can recognize the Keeper pitch of it, yet it seems to not draw Jeran's attention away. He only apologizes for some odd reason, promising to retrieve someone that can help her. Why? He was so upset with her last time they meet.

Just like him to have to save someone despite his hatred.

"No." And it's just like her to resist the help she needs. "Don't get in trouble." She muffles out almost too quietly. There's no more resistance behind her though, as he adjusts her further to not lean on her back. She can only wince in pain that refuses to submerge. That is, until there's disapproval to the bracelet she still keeps and will never let go of.

Instantly she's trying to recoil her balled fist closer to herself, wanting to protect the woven object she holds so valuable. It grinds against her skin and feels to be more painful then even the last whip to hit her back. It's as if her heart was trying to be ripped from her chest. "Jeran...no." She softly cries for while another pulls away his arm. There's no seeing the expression of the two Keepers above her, no clue to what must be going on behind those masks.

She pathetically coughs/chuckles to what registers next. It pulls her back to those kindergarten days, when he'd always bribe her with his friendship if she'd behave. The second he threatened otherwise, she knew she had crossed the line. But right now she just hardly whimpers out a laugh. The string refused to snap from around her wrist.

"What the hell is going on Jeran?" Vy's unable to help breaking out of her PeaceKeeper personality now that everyone's gone. "Who is she?" There's no telling from the signs presented. Figured they were old friends, but apparently not. They have to help her though, and there's no doubt that's not allowed while in uniform. She attempts to casually tug him over to the side where she pulls up her visor once her back is turned. "Talk to me." She tries to convince. Best bet is figuring it out together.

[Jack Lexington]

Out of all the days I could have picked to go into town and pick up some formula and other baby stuff I chose the worst one. The whole inner city is filled with people streaming to the exact place I need to go to in order to buy my items: The market square.
"What's going on?" I ask one guy who hurries past me with a quizzical look.

With more excitement than necessary he answers me: "Public punishment. Some bastard is getting his fair share! Hurry up, you'll miss the best."

"Gosh!" I freeze dead in my tracks for a moment. Some poor detainee is getting punished publicly. I don't understand why the Capitol makes it such an event and people buy into it like it's a damn fashion show.

Instantly I remember the time when I got whipped. I still have a few scars running down my back that were too deep to vanish. Lucky me - mine was done behind the tall walls of the DC, not with dozens of people watching.

I definetly don't want to be one of them- gawking and maybe even cheering.

So I turn the other way. Unfortunately we have a hungry baby at home and a mom who doesn't have enough milk just yet. So I have to go.

Everything inside of me screams: Don't look! When I reach the square and hear the screams of the crowd I do anyway!
That's when I catch a glimpse of the poor blonde, the blood, the pain and the pks standing by.
My gutt turns upside down because I was one of THEM and one like HER. A wavew of nausea hits me before I can do anything but struggle down the brile that threatens to spill.
"Oh shit."
I try to pus my way through the crowd but don't get far.

[*]

The only thing running through his mind at the moment is how he threw his friendship away with Charlie, along with the bracelet that she still has around her wrist. Complete confusion is written all over his face and his fingers try to latch around some part of the woven monstrosity to break it off her wrist and to take it away yet again. How can they be friends? How can he claim to know her when she has done something wrong and went against the law? He is the law and that claim keep repeating in his head before someone starts to pull him away from the girl that is laying on the ground, broken - bruised and bleeding.

"What the hell is going on Jeran? Who is she?" The voice that suddenly rings out sounds so familiar to him that he's trying to decide whether to keep his vision locked onto the girl in front of him or to look to the other peacekeeper that's pulled him away from the now free criminal.

"Huh? Vy..." He speaks, quite unsure of himself as he feels her tugging him away. If she tugged him away, that would leave Charlie laying there with no protection from anyone in the crowd that stayed to see the aftermath. That was the last thing he wanted was for some idiot to come over and start kicking up dirt onto her wounds and hurting her further then she already was. That sudden thought though has his brows furrowing in pain just thinking about it. This job in the peacekeepers was not well thought out when he joined for other reasons. Who knew that it would come to this though.

"Vy. We have to help Charlie. I know her.. for many years growing up. She's the best person I'll ever know. I can't just let her fend for herself. I have to get her help."

Somewhere in the distance, a gruff voice is calling out for the keepers to fall in, resulting in a fast heartbeat to suddenly go into overdrive as he pleadingly looks at Vy and then around to any of the people of the district that he can trust enough to give them the task. Though, with his suit on, more than likely, he could tell the mayor of two to take care of her and he would have to on the charge of not listening to orders. Although, the figure of a man trying to fight the crowd catches his eyes faster and he suddenly jerks away from Vy and chases after the young man.

"Matthew! Matthew Dunham." Jeran's words call out, as he darts past a few people and suddenly takes off into a sprint to catch up with the man. Although his face shield is down, a couple of passerbys whispers something about Dunhams in trouble and mock giggles of shock. "Matthew Dunham. Come with me please."

Jeran asks at first before reaching over and taking his arm without permission, tugging him in to the direction of Vy and Charlie. Before he can fully reach Charlie and with a passing glance to Vy, he hurries the words that seem to come so passionately.

"Matthew, you gotta help her. I can't. They won't let me. You know that. The accused is to always be accused. I am the law and therefore can't aid those on the wrong side. For my sake, I'll do anything if you take her home and care for her. I"ll be there as soon as my shift is over. Will, you Matthew? I'll do anything if you just help her.... " He practically begs him as he glances back to Vy and the girl. "If you don't, then I'm going to be underfire and Kya will get the blunt force of what I will do to protect that girl."

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Utter confusion strikes Vy, after she manages to tug Jeran off to the side a short distances. He's usually so collected and together, yet here he currently stands as baffled as ever. What the hell is wrong with him? Wasn't even this flustered their first night actually in bed together. And now he's unable to even register Vy's voice right away, and tried to steal a cheap bracelet off a wounded ex-criminal. Instantly there's hatred for this stranger that hasn't even spoken a word. There's fear of what this person might cause, especially with all that she's been able stir up already.

"She's the best person I'll ever know." Reaches Vy's ears from the one man she's ever fallen for...and he's not speaking of her.

Feels as though Vy's heart has been ripped from her chest, as she glances over at the one still upon the floor. Never been more grateful for the headgear that constantly shields her expressions. Though her features remain colder then ever nonetheless. He presented that so easily, with no regret consuming his tone afterwards. His only concern is protecting that other Blonde, and this one has disappeared from his thoughts ever since. A Commander calls out for all his soldiers.

"Yeah. Of course." The joyful pitch that had miraculously taken Vy's voice lately has dissipated like she has to him. Rightfully so as Jeran then darts off without another word to her. Might as well of taken the little bit of heart she had left, because she's certain it's gone again. "I'll stay here." But her sarcasm picks up as if it never faded away.

Should just take orders for a change and fall in. Why be risky for the one that's willing to endanger them both for an old friend that's now a former convict? Sure it's pulling at the heart Vy's determined to lose, but she doesn't know her. Yet her feet return her to the wounded's side, where she stands like the Peacekeeper she is. There's no bending down, or comfort given, only the protection that was promised. And with the way she always maintains herself, no one dares to venture close. A few patiently wait to see if they'll get their strike at the suffering, but slowly they all migrate elsewhere.

"What? You gonna ship me off again?" Charlie mutters weakly from the ground. Could only wish. Unfortunately Vy's just friends with the only person that has a conscience behind his gear. No response breaches from her though. For some damn reason she finds a need to be nice to the person Jeran's so fond off, despite the circumstance.

Surprisingly it's Matthew that he gathers from the crowd, and she couldn't be more grateful to see him. If only they could leave Jeran to his problems and go grab a beer. 'Course Vy's not even going to suggests that though. She only waits for the plan with hopes of an agreement. "Just have debriefing, then we'll be off." Is added in by her for reassurance. Not going to dump this all on Matthew, no matter how tempting it is to screw this all. There's unconditional love for the boy that's willing to risk everything for this chick, and all Vy can do is go down with him.

[Jack Lexington]

What I feel right now is hard to describe. Being taken into custody, questioned and whipped was an experience I certainly don't want to repeat- ever. I got away with a 'black eye' though. Things could have been much worse as I could have ended up in a cell for a long time or with worse punishment. It still made me insecure and physically hurt for a while. I still have reservations about taking my shirt off unless it's among friends because of what people might think. I never really dealt with the aftermath because Jins happened and for a change that was good.

This girl here has to endure the whole process publicly and the humiliation that comes from the crowd. I feel really sorry for her - whatever she did because she's seriously suffering. It's the first time I can relate to one of those people on the whipping pole.

"Matthew! Matthew Dunham." My name being shouted tears me out of my attempt to get away from it all. I freeze because instantly I think I'm in trouble. Over the shouts of the crowd I don't recognise the voice but can only see the faces staring at me and making space around me when one of those damn bastards in white grabs my arm.
Of course I jerk back until he says. "Matthew Dunham. Come with me, please."
Totally irritated I pull away and stare at him. "What the hell are you doing?"
Something tells me that I shouldn't do it- no matter if I understand or not.

So I let him lead me closer to the punished girl.

"Matthew, you gotta help her. I can't. They won't let me. You know that. The accused is to always be accused. I am the law and therefore can't aid those on the wrong side. For my sake, I'll do anything if you take her home and care for her. I"ll be there as soon as my shift is over. Will, you Matthew? I'll do anything if you just help her.... "
I have no idea why he wants to help her so badly or what's going on but I can hear the desperation in his voice.

Yet I have myself to think about now. "I have a record, I have a baby." I whisper back at him with a stern glance.

"If you don't, then I'm going to be underfire and Kya will get the blunt force of what I will do to protect that girl."
It's true. On the record Kyanite is more connected to her brother than me. We're not married and not officially living together. He is.
I gasp looking over at the bloody mess and the scared look, the crowd who is pacing around her as if she was the lowest scum on earth, one even spits on the ground next to her, calling her names.

All I know is I don't want to get in trouble.
"You think it's better if I get in trouble?" I shot back.

"Just have debriefing, then we'll be off." That's Vy's voice behind that visor.

I just shake my head and sigh.
"Go! Once all pks are gone I'll help her." My voice is barely audible to myself and the only reason I'm doing it is because of Kyanite.

[*]

Is it unfortunate for Jeran to have the safety of his sister and niece in his mind as well as Matthew and Vy and her daughter? Could anything really come from this if he decided upon saving her or putting her into the care of someone else? For the time constraint, what has to be done needs to be done and that is simply to get Matthew to take care of her no matter what. It's Charlie, afterall. He knows her. She knows him. What harm could it do to keep her from knocking on deaths door or to be harassed by the people left over from the specatators? His eyes dart over to the injured girl on the ground and then back to Matthew with a statement that seemed to be enough to dig deeper into his pyschie to further push him to do what is asked of him.

Kya.

Mira.

"I know Dunham, but she's a good person. She's no different then you were." He tries to plead with him. "I think you can get away with it more than I can now. She's done her time. She's dead to us now. We've done what we set out to do. She's punished. She's free. Just as you are."

"Just have debriefing, then we'll be off." Vy suddenly chirps in and with a nod from his head in two sudden, small jerks, he's waiting for Matthew's acceptance or denial. Although, he's already trying to figure out how to keep Charlie safe and his sister and niece. The images popping up in his head start to mess with him until he hears Matthew saying something he never expected.

"Go! One all the pk are gone I'll help her."

"You won't regret this, Dunham." He scoffs, putting on an act and suddenly begins to point over to the girl, and getting into Dunham's face. The look he gives Matthew is more appreciative than ever. "Get her off the streets before I let someone else take care of her."

He's suddenly taking two steps back and his heart yearns for the girl laying on the ground. Did he do that to her? Did he do this all to her? Why she is on the bad side of the law? Where did things go wrong?

Was it that day that she was taken away? Pulled away from him and placed in someone elses care, forever to never see him again until ten years later and this is where she ended up?

How did she fall so far?

"Charlie... where did I go wrong?" He mutters under his breath as he turns on his heels and stomps towards Vy, brushing past her without even noticing her. With one quick movement, the visor on his helmet shoots down, concealing the flustered look on his face and reddened cheeks. Quick mutterings take over his complete attention as he falls in to the last of the line, never looking back to none of the ones that he's probably completley baffled.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Teeth remain clasped together as if tightened by a knob that only turns one way. The sorrows Vy feels is transformed into anger, which is altered into standing like a perfect Peacekeeper. Only a cold, blank glare plays on her expressions; unreadable, uncaring. Even as Matthew softly shares his concern over getting in trouble himself because of this, she stays unchanged.

The last thing -at least- Vy wants is for Matthew, or anyone for that matter, to be in danger due to this wounded stranger. But it's a catch twenty-two given Jeran will risk himself for this chick, which could very well affect his sister. Would Vy be selfish enough to express her desire for none of them to take that chance? Could she with the helpless one laying right over there? And with her boyfriend's feelings being so strong for her. The only thing she can do is promise that their support won't be absent for long, that Matthew won't have to go through it alone. How that commitment stings.

A light sigh escapes Vy after Matthew agrees to helping. Sounds safer then someone in uniform escorting her out of here. She gives him a quick glance of gratitude, though he appears to be preoccupied with Jeran nearly in his face. Jeran's way of acting like a Peacekeeper while still exchanging his own thanks? Seems like it. Then he's swiftly turning around and marching off, right past Vy.

Instinctively her fingers are balling up into a fist, and her blood is boiling through her arms to punch anybody. There's such hatred for the one that's done nothing but been punished. Why must she hold so much power? Vy's visor comes crashing down before she's robotically following to their destination, keeping a nice distance from the one in front of her. And to think this is only the beginning. She fears what might lie ahead of them, and it's not because of the former fugitive coming to their home. No, she must also be a past lover of Jeran's.


"Who are you?" Charlie moans to the one that approaches her, while she does her best at keeping her heavy eyes from closing for good. Pain is overwhelming, and there's nothing her body would like more then to pass out through it. But she managed to overhear part of the conversation that went on, and it seems Jeran's retrieved someone to make sure she doesn't die out here in the streets. She doesn't maintain the resistance she would of otherwise, having only trust for the one that's convinced this guy to help. Just a bit of curiosity over who this person is, until the discomfort takes away any train of thought again.

"Got any booze for the pain?" She pathetically chuckles in a whisper.

[Jack Lexington]

I can see Jeran's eyes pleading with me. No doubt that this girl is really important to him - who knows why- and he is not allowed to help her. But I don't want to end up in her spot.

"I know Dunham, but she's a good person. She's no different then you were. I think you can get away with it more than I can now. She's done her time. She's dead to us now. We've done what we set out to do. She's punished. She's free. Just as you are."
I don't like his analogies at all so I start scowling but out of my peripheral vision I can see the bleeding girl crumple to the ground. It's heart breaking and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way, so i look around. Nobody steps up to help her though.

As I finally agree he tells me I won't regret it. "I hope so, bro." I whisper.
Then Jeran orders me loud and clear. "Get her off the streets before I let someone else take care of her."

I nod "Yes, sir." and kneel down to her level. She's looks terrible. Her face is pale and full of pain. Any moment she could pass out and then I'd have to carry her.
"Who are you?" The blonde moans.
I reach under her arm and carefully pull her to her feet while I explain.
"Jeran's friend."
That's all she'll get for now as I try to steady her and lead her away from the square under the preying eyes of some Pks and the crowd.
I just hope this won't come to bite me in the ass.

Despite the mess she's in she whispers. "Got any booze for the pain?"
"You're a joker, aren't you?"

With a bit of effort I help her off to the side where she can sit down on the steps of a house in an alley.
"What did you do to deserve this?"
Not like people really needed to do something to deserve it.

By now I completely forgot the formula I was suppsoed to buy for our hungry baby girl.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

Something lifts up Charlie's arm to be draped over a shoulder, and once again she's forcing herself to stay present. The pain's beginning to numb into a sort of highness anyways. It's not that much of an unthinkable task. She finds the Blonde dude, that had crouched down beside her, pulling her up with support. Right, Jeran had reassured her that he was going to find someone to help. Things are just becoming a bit foggy currently, which includes memory. Every time she finds herself waking up it feels as though minutes ago is a dream she can't recall.

Jeran's friend, as he calls himself, is quite cautious with where her fresh wounds are located. Still it has Charlie wincing in discomfort to simply move. Biggest need is getting out of here though, even if her mind is on a different solution.

Depending on herself for her entire life, Charlie had learned of only one thing that would solve all of her problems. Whether in pain physically or mentally, or any other trouble for that matter, it's nothing that alcohol can't fix. She requests for it jokingly, though it kind of is the only desire of her's right now. Perfect for any occasion after all. Just how the one helping her then assumedly questions if she's a joker. Despite everything it pulls a small grin across her cheeks. Yep, that's her.

Steadily she's set onto a random step for a quick break. Is he going to ditch her? She's far to exhausted to care. Instead he questions the crime that caused all of this.

Another pathetic chuckle escapes her, as she subtly shakes her head; that's leaning on her knees to prevent anything from touching her back. If only she held a juicy story to share. "I was at an abandoned home because I had no where else to go." Her soft laughter fades off with a sigh. What a lame reasoning compared to the other shit she's done. There's no telling how strong she used to be, now that she's worn down and beaten from the detention center. How embarrassing.

Her eyes slowly gaze up to the one that's kind of enough to listen to Jeran and help her. Jeran's friend, he must be. Wonder if he knows Kyanite...and how she's doing. Not like it's really the time to be curious. "Please don't tell me you're a damn Keeper to, just out of uniform." She asks with a few pauses between her words. Though there is an odd instinct that he's not, but then again she could never imagine Jeran as one either. Can only hope for the best.