((Peter McCue continued from The Long Road Home))
Katlin didn't look any better for wear by the time that they began to approach their destination. A few times over the course of the journey, she had asked where, but it didn't sound like her to his ears. She sounded so broken... So distraught that he could barely keep himself moving. The girl he had sworn to himself to protect, to care for... But he knew that telling her wouldn't feel the same as just showing her. It wouldn't have the effect, the aid of leaving the surprise to the last moment. And as they crested the hill, looking down on the small village, it seemed serene and peaceful. With a small grin, he turned to his companion, her hand still in his.
"We're here."
His own internal elation was bubbling right to the top. Without stopping to see if she had any response, he carefully helped her down the hill leading into the small semi-circle of building, just hoping that they wouldn't run into a body on the way. That was the last thing they needed while he was trying to bring some life and happiness back to his companion. It wouldn't be like being home again... But it would be as close as they could get.
Thankfully, the first house on the outside of the village's door was unlocked, and seemed relatively untouched. Well, as untouched as a previously lived in house could be. Carefully leading her into the main room of the building and shutting the door behind him, he looked around. Not home, but it would work. A small, black and white television set was affixed in the corner among a few magazines, with a small fireplace nearby. Just the sight of this got the gears turning in his mind, but he should really get back to that later. As his eyes scanned the room, he spotted a little blue loveseat as the only seating in the room besides the admittedly plush and comfortable looking carpet, with an old coffee table just at leg's reach, two empty mugs sitting on either side. Smiling at how cozy the place was, he turned back to his companion, for the first time since leaving actually going out of his way to gague how she was feeling; before seeing her so downtrodden was too much to bear.
"Welcome home Katlin."
He was really hoping that comment wouldn't get her down any more than she already was, bringing thoughts back from Bayview... But too late, it was already out in the open. And if he had anything to say about it, they would make this place a home for as long as they could. She would stay here, he would go out into the town and examine the collar on his own. They would remove each other's, and live happily ever after, together.
Hefting the shotgun over his shoulder, glancing at the mesh pouch on his backpack barely visible out of the corner of his eye where the extra shells sat, he motioned to the loveseat. "Wait here... I'm going to go make sure no one else is here." As much as he wanted to just drop everything and let his guard down for once, that just wasn't smart, wasn't plausable. Quickly spinning and sneaking into the kitchen only to find it ransacked for food, he scanned the room.
That's the same wallpaper Mom put up last year...
The boy's head shook violently, making a note to put off the sentimental feelings, at least for now. If someone was here, then Katlin was in danger, and until Peter had checked every nook and cranny, they couldn't be sure. Going through the room as quickly as he could, his shotgun leading the charge, he then slipped up the stairs as quietly as a mouse, taking note of the various rooms and fixtures. It appeared to be a Townhouse, the upper floor consisting of a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, and a small bathroom with... Holy shit, a shower. Choosing the latter first, he let the door creak on it's hinges, quickly finding the small room to be clear. Repeating the previous process for the other two until he was satisfied that they were alone, he crept back down the stairs, making sure that all the windows were locked.
With a clack, the shotgun fell to the ground, and with it Peter felt a great weight fall from his shoulders. He could finally relax for a day. Nearly ten days that they'd been here. Didn't these infernal games usually only last two weeks? They had to be some of the last alive... That last announcement proved as such. He still hadn't heard Ivan since that first announcement, and no sign of Ridley at all. That was good... He still wasn't alone.
His eyes rose to the dishevled girl on the small blue cusion.
He would never be alone again. Quickly shedding the backpack and plopping down on the seat himself, he just smiled at her, and took her hand into his. There was no need for words. They had shut the door behind them, left the gore, the violence, the death and terror behind for as long as these walls stood, nothing needed to be said. For as long as they both stood. Finding a meal would come later. For now, rest and relaxation were so much more important.
Back in St. Paul, if Just for an Evening...
Minor Content Warning. PM for permission before Joining.
Back in St. Paul, if Just for an Evening...
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler T-Fox. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
[Girl #48 - Kaitlin Anderheim. Continued from So Far Awar From Home.]
Was this home?
It didn't look like home, but it looked nice, and Peter's smile was reassuring. Maybe this wasn't the home she wanted to go back to, but it certainly looked like it would be a nice home. Peter had to help her along the way, and she never let go of his hand, not once, since they started walking. It was becoming a habit for them to walk hand in hand like that, and honestly, Kaitlin wouldn't have it any other way. It made her feel safe. It made her feel comfortable. Peter had helped so much and was still helping her, and all she could do was follow him at his side and lean on him for support. The entire time they were traveling, she followed him. She didn't know where they were going until now, but that didn't matter. She followed.
She trusted him, so she would follow, no matter where they were headed.
Once they were inside the house, Kaitlin sat down and watched as Peter went about his business, checking the house and making sure that they would be safe there. Making sure it was safe to stay there and hopefully, safe to sleep there. While Peter was gone, Kaitlin sat on the little couch, running her hands over the fabric. It was dusty, and the house was more than a little stuffy, but it didn't look too bad. Just a layer of dust on everything thick enough to write in. A nice little fireplace and an old TV, magazines and a table. It all looked nice and cozy, though she would hate to have to clean the place. They could probably clean off enough to use, but dusting the entire house would have been murder.
...Okay, bad choice of words. Kaitlin shook her head and turned her attention to the stairs as Peter came back down.
She was glad to see him. No one else was there, it seemed, and they were safe. Safe. It was a little strange to feel that safe. They were never quite as safe as they were now, with a proper place to hide in and proper weapons to defend themselves. Now if only they could have a proper meal and a good nights sleep, it would be perfect. But for now, Kaitlin was content to just sit there with Peter in the comfort of the empty house, however dusty it was, on a couch that could have very well been the most expensive, most comfortable piece of furniture she'd ever sat on. Instead of, y'know, some cheap thing probably bought down at a local store for less than three hundred dollars. But no matter what it was, it was the most comfortable thing she'd sat on in over a week.
With Peter right there next to her, Kaitlin was happy. With Peter right there next to her, Kaitlin was safe.
Maybe, just maybe, thing would be better from now on. Maybe, just maybe, Kaitlin could get through all of this. As long as Peter was there with her. As long as they were safe, at home. Yeah... this was a nice home. Kaitlin took her hand away from Peter, but put her arms around him instead, and just sat there. Head on his shoulder, arms around him, leaning on him again. Not for support, but for the comfort that came with knowing he was that close.
Yeah... this was home.
"Thank you, Peter."
Was this home?
It didn't look like home, but it looked nice, and Peter's smile was reassuring. Maybe this wasn't the home she wanted to go back to, but it certainly looked like it would be a nice home. Peter had to help her along the way, and she never let go of his hand, not once, since they started walking. It was becoming a habit for them to walk hand in hand like that, and honestly, Kaitlin wouldn't have it any other way. It made her feel safe. It made her feel comfortable. Peter had helped so much and was still helping her, and all she could do was follow him at his side and lean on him for support. The entire time they were traveling, she followed him. She didn't know where they were going until now, but that didn't matter. She followed.
She trusted him, so she would follow, no matter where they were headed.
Once they were inside the house, Kaitlin sat down and watched as Peter went about his business, checking the house and making sure that they would be safe there. Making sure it was safe to stay there and hopefully, safe to sleep there. While Peter was gone, Kaitlin sat on the little couch, running her hands over the fabric. It was dusty, and the house was more than a little stuffy, but it didn't look too bad. Just a layer of dust on everything thick enough to write in. A nice little fireplace and an old TV, magazines and a table. It all looked nice and cozy, though she would hate to have to clean the place. They could probably clean off enough to use, but dusting the entire house would have been murder.
...Okay, bad choice of words. Kaitlin shook her head and turned her attention to the stairs as Peter came back down.
She was glad to see him. No one else was there, it seemed, and they were safe. Safe. It was a little strange to feel that safe. They were never quite as safe as they were now, with a proper place to hide in and proper weapons to defend themselves. Now if only they could have a proper meal and a good nights sleep, it would be perfect. But for now, Kaitlin was content to just sit there with Peter in the comfort of the empty house, however dusty it was, on a couch that could have very well been the most expensive, most comfortable piece of furniture she'd ever sat on. Instead of, y'know, some cheap thing probably bought down at a local store for less than three hundred dollars. But no matter what it was, it was the most comfortable thing she'd sat on in over a week.
With Peter right there next to her, Kaitlin was happy. With Peter right there next to her, Kaitlin was safe.
Maybe, just maybe, thing would be better from now on. Maybe, just maybe, Kaitlin could get through all of this. As long as Peter was there with her. As long as they were safe, at home. Yeah... this was a nice home. Kaitlin took her hand away from Peter, but put her arms around him instead, and just sat there. Head on his shoulder, arms around him, leaning on him again. Not for support, but for the comfort that came with knowing he was that close.
Yeah... this was home.
"Thank you, Peter."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Dr. Nic. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
(Imraan Al-Hariq continued from You Always Get What's Coming)
Imraan wasn't enjoying himself. He supposed that was a good thing.
What he was going to do shouldn't be joyful. It should not, would not be fun. The right thing to do wasn't always clean, or comfortable, or enjoyable. But that didn't matter.
Because it was right.
He'd already said goodbye to his mother. He'd forced Nisreen Al-Hariq out of his mind, knowing that it would do no good to let her memory try to dissuade him. She would survive on her own without him, and Imraan would have to do the same. He'd taken a moment to think of his father and brother one last time, to wonder fleetingly if they knew what was going on a half a world away from Palestine, and then he had set them aside as well. His family, after all, was still alive. His classmates were not.
He was prepared now, prepared for what he had to do. Days before, Imraan had thought he had been ready to act, but he had been wrong. He had still been hopeful then, still optimistic that maybe they could get out of here without bloodshed. That had clouded his vision before, when he had been given the chance to kill and not acted on it. Now that he knew there would be no escape, he didn't have to worry about that anymore. He didn't need to worry about anything except making sure that a killer would not win.
God's will. Jessie's will. His will.
So, once he'd arrived to this line of houses, Imraan had knocked on doors. It seemed grotesquely comical to him, like he was a traveling salesman or something ("Hello Avon calling! Would you like some death today?), but it would, eventually, bring him into contact with people. Maybe killers, maybe innocents. That wasn't for Imraan to know. He'd entered several, only to find them either empty of people or empty of LIVING people, and with each barren house, each dead body, his frustration only grew.
One had been locked, and after knocking and receiving no answer Imraan had finally kicked the door down, ready to stride in and confront whoever had been hiding there, whoever had dared not answer, whoever had dared to try to avoid him, only to find the bodies of Jacob Charles and Victoria Logan by the staircase. He'd stared, grown angrier still, and then left.
Finally, he came to the end of the street. A house with movement inside, he was sure of it. Well, he'd just see who was there. And if someone came out shooting?
Let them try.
He rapped his fist against the door several times.
"Knock knock."
Yes, definitely movement. Imraan readied his shotgun.
"It's Imraan Al-Hariq. Who's in there?"
Imraan wasn't enjoying himself. He supposed that was a good thing.
What he was going to do shouldn't be joyful. It should not, would not be fun. The right thing to do wasn't always clean, or comfortable, or enjoyable. But that didn't matter.
Because it was right.
He'd already said goodbye to his mother. He'd forced Nisreen Al-Hariq out of his mind, knowing that it would do no good to let her memory try to dissuade him. She would survive on her own without him, and Imraan would have to do the same. He'd taken a moment to think of his father and brother one last time, to wonder fleetingly if they knew what was going on a half a world away from Palestine, and then he had set them aside as well. His family, after all, was still alive. His classmates were not.
He was prepared now, prepared for what he had to do. Days before, Imraan had thought he had been ready to act, but he had been wrong. He had still been hopeful then, still optimistic that maybe they could get out of here without bloodshed. That had clouded his vision before, when he had been given the chance to kill and not acted on it. Now that he knew there would be no escape, he didn't have to worry about that anymore. He didn't need to worry about anything except making sure that a killer would not win.
God's will. Jessie's will. His will.
So, once he'd arrived to this line of houses, Imraan had knocked on doors. It seemed grotesquely comical to him, like he was a traveling salesman or something ("Hello Avon calling! Would you like some death today?), but it would, eventually, bring him into contact with people. Maybe killers, maybe innocents. That wasn't for Imraan to know. He'd entered several, only to find them either empty of people or empty of LIVING people, and with each barren house, each dead body, his frustration only grew.
One had been locked, and after knocking and receiving no answer Imraan had finally kicked the door down, ready to stride in and confront whoever had been hiding there, whoever had dared not answer, whoever had dared to try to avoid him, only to find the bodies of Jacob Charles and Victoria Logan by the staircase. He'd stared, grown angrier still, and then left.
Finally, he came to the end of the street. A house with movement inside, he was sure of it. Well, he'd just see who was there. And if someone came out shooting?
Let them try.
He rapped his fist against the door several times.
"Knock knock."
Yes, definitely movement. Imraan readied his shotgun.
"It's Imraan Al-Hariq. Who's in there?"
Ugh never say never
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
Her words caused a small smile to break on his face. The first one in too long that didn't feel forced. He turned a milimeter, just to feel her arms around him, her head on his shoulder with a renewed vigor, closing his own eyes and placing his own head against hers. His arm slid down to her side, wrapping around her waist comfortingly. It felt so right to have her so close, so... tender, something he had never experienced before in his life. And it felt so right.
He let out a soft sigh, just focusing on the warmth, letting Katlin's words linger in the air for a moment longer, the sweetness giving the room its own character and feel.
Would things be like this when they got back to St. Paul? Would his parents acknowlege everything they had been through and allow them to be this close when the real world came crashing back down? As much as he enjoyed this, the penalty was death... At least for one of them if not both. The real world, Bayview, was the better option. If they went back... What would they do?
Another sigh.
"Anything for you."
He just sat, cradled in each other's arms for a time, a time he didn't care to count, just savoring each and every passing second, willing his stomach silent, willing his mind to ignore any little discomfort that popped up. Any moment could be his last, and each and every good thing in his path needed to be remembered and held on to for as long as he could. Draw every little drop of strength from every single experience, because it was needed, more than he would ever know.
He had no idea how long it had been when he heard a noise at the door, startling him and sending his heart beating at a breakneck speed. Reflexively he jumped, in the process giving Kalin a nice little scare as well. His demeanor immediately became frantic as his eyes scanned the room, unable to see anything out of the windows, still dark from the inky blackness of night. The outline of his shotgun, glinting in the soft light given by the moon and helping to bolster the romantic feeling in the home not a few minutes ago suddenly became his best friend, leaning over the soft arm of the love seat, grasping for the cool metal which instantly brought reality back the moment its cool steel brushed over his fingertips.
"It's Imraan Al-Hariq. Who's in there?"
Imraan. The past few days had made a small defense mechanism for Peter, in the fact that he had pushed the humanity of those he wasn't close to out of his mind so that the Announcements didn't make him break down every single time that they cracked to life. All nine of them. But the name was familiar, so he strained his mind to remember as he missed the shotgun on the first grab. Deep breath. Take your time, there's a door in the way.
The feeling of the plastic on the grip of the weapon was encompassed by his palm, and he brought the weapon to bear.
Imraan. Religious. Kind. Words flashed through his mind here and there, ones he hoped were really descriptors of the man currently at the door. If that were the case, this didn't need to come to blows, so to speak.
"Peter McCue and Katlin Anderheim!" He fired back, his off hand resting around the forestock of the weapon, again that rubbery grip slapping home.
What was this game doing to him? Had he lost his humanity, pointing a loaded weapon at a 17 or 18 year old kid on the other side of a wooden door? What was wrong with him?
Breaking from Katlin's grip quickly, he dropped to a knee, and brought the weapon to bear, stock nestled against his shoulder, just like he remembered from the National Jamboree back in 2005 when he fired something similar for the first and only time in his life.
The next question sounded so cliche in his mind. Like something that would make both Imraan and Katlin groan in response. But it needed an answer to have any idea of how to react to this new intrusion.
"Friend, or Foe? We still aren't playing, and have no plans to!"
At least it wasn't Maxwell or Kris, but this game changes people... He just wished he knew the other boy's intentions.
He let out a soft sigh, just focusing on the warmth, letting Katlin's words linger in the air for a moment longer, the sweetness giving the room its own character and feel.
Would things be like this when they got back to St. Paul? Would his parents acknowlege everything they had been through and allow them to be this close when the real world came crashing back down? As much as he enjoyed this, the penalty was death... At least for one of them if not both. The real world, Bayview, was the better option. If they went back... What would they do?
Another sigh.
"Anything for you."
He just sat, cradled in each other's arms for a time, a time he didn't care to count, just savoring each and every passing second, willing his stomach silent, willing his mind to ignore any little discomfort that popped up. Any moment could be his last, and each and every good thing in his path needed to be remembered and held on to for as long as he could. Draw every little drop of strength from every single experience, because it was needed, more than he would ever know.
He had no idea how long it had been when he heard a noise at the door, startling him and sending his heart beating at a breakneck speed. Reflexively he jumped, in the process giving Kalin a nice little scare as well. His demeanor immediately became frantic as his eyes scanned the room, unable to see anything out of the windows, still dark from the inky blackness of night. The outline of his shotgun, glinting in the soft light given by the moon and helping to bolster the romantic feeling in the home not a few minutes ago suddenly became his best friend, leaning over the soft arm of the love seat, grasping for the cool metal which instantly brought reality back the moment its cool steel brushed over his fingertips.
"It's Imraan Al-Hariq. Who's in there?"
Imraan. The past few days had made a small defense mechanism for Peter, in the fact that he had pushed the humanity of those he wasn't close to out of his mind so that the Announcements didn't make him break down every single time that they cracked to life. All nine of them. But the name was familiar, so he strained his mind to remember as he missed the shotgun on the first grab. Deep breath. Take your time, there's a door in the way.
The feeling of the plastic on the grip of the weapon was encompassed by his palm, and he brought the weapon to bear.
Imraan. Religious. Kind. Words flashed through his mind here and there, ones he hoped were really descriptors of the man currently at the door. If that were the case, this didn't need to come to blows, so to speak.
"Peter McCue and Katlin Anderheim!" He fired back, his off hand resting around the forestock of the weapon, again that rubbery grip slapping home.
What was this game doing to him? Had he lost his humanity, pointing a loaded weapon at a 17 or 18 year old kid on the other side of a wooden door? What was wrong with him?
Breaking from Katlin's grip quickly, he dropped to a knee, and brought the weapon to bear, stock nestled against his shoulder, just like he remembered from the National Jamboree back in 2005 when he fired something similar for the first and only time in his life.
The next question sounded so cliche in his mind. Like something that would make both Imraan and Katlin groan in response. But it needed an answer to have any idea of how to react to this new intrusion.
"Friend, or Foe? We still aren't playing, and have no plans to!"
At least it wasn't Maxwell or Kris, but this game changes people... He just wished he knew the other boy's intentions.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler T-Fox. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
So relaxing. So calm. So nice. Kaitlin didn't want this to end. She didn't want to move and she might have even fought against falling asleep, but as long as she was in Peter's arms, she was happy. The world could come crashing down around them and she really wouldn't care as long as she was with Peter. No matter what happened, she was going to stay with him. No matter what, she was going to stay in his arms. This was home now and she never wanted to leave. She never wanted to go back out there and face what would come. The dying and the killing and the violence and everything else that was just wrong with their situation. She just wanted to run away with Peter and get out of this place and go home.
Or make a new home...
Eventually, as she lay there with Peter and her head slipped from his shoulder to his chest, she fell asleep. Not a very deep sleep, but it was everything about that situation that let her relax completely. His arms around her and the beat of his heart, the comfort of the house and the safety that came with it. As long as she was with him, she was home. As long as they were together, she was safe. And as long as she was alive, she would stay with him.
Nothing could ruin this. Nothing at all.
Well, almost nothing.
Before she even realized what was going on, Peter was already up. He had the shotgun in his hands and it took Kaitlin a moment to remember what happened. Immediately, she snapped to attention and slipped down on the floor, putting the couch between her and the door as best she could. But, as she sat and stared and watched Peter act, she remembered the name that had been called out when she was still mostly asleep. If pieced together slowly, but it all came together eventually.
Imraan...
Imraan?
Imraan!
"Imraan!"
Oh thank god. She knew Imraan, no matter how little she actually knew him, and he wasn't playing. He hadn't been on the announcements. He wasn't playing. He was still good. They could trust him... couldn't they?
They had to take that chance.
"Peter, it's okay. He... won't hurt us."
She hesitated, but tried to say it with some confidence. He wouldn't hurt them. It was a stretch to say she trusted him completely, but she trusted him far more than anyone else in this game other than Peter. She trusted Imraan more than any of the people who'd actually been playing the game. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. She got up and moved to the door, and looked to Peter. Then to the door. Her hand was on the knob. A deep breath.
No matter how little trust there was, it was still trust. After all, they were supposed to go to prom, weren't they? If she could trust him with being her date to prom, she could trust him not to kill her.
Hopefully.
"It's okay."
She opened the door.
Or make a new home...
Eventually, as she lay there with Peter and her head slipped from his shoulder to his chest, she fell asleep. Not a very deep sleep, but it was everything about that situation that let her relax completely. His arms around her and the beat of his heart, the comfort of the house and the safety that came with it. As long as she was with him, she was home. As long as they were together, she was safe. And as long as she was alive, she would stay with him.
Nothing could ruin this. Nothing at all.
Well, almost nothing.
Before she even realized what was going on, Peter was already up. He had the shotgun in his hands and it took Kaitlin a moment to remember what happened. Immediately, she snapped to attention and slipped down on the floor, putting the couch between her and the door as best she could. But, as she sat and stared and watched Peter act, she remembered the name that had been called out when she was still mostly asleep. If pieced together slowly, but it all came together eventually.
Imraan...
Imraan?
Imraan!
"Imraan!"
Oh thank god. She knew Imraan, no matter how little she actually knew him, and he wasn't playing. He hadn't been on the announcements. He wasn't playing. He was still good. They could trust him... couldn't they?
They had to take that chance.
"Peter, it's okay. He... won't hurt us."
She hesitated, but tried to say it with some confidence. He wouldn't hurt them. It was a stretch to say she trusted him completely, but she trusted him far more than anyone else in this game other than Peter. She trusted Imraan more than any of the people who'd actually been playing the game. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. She got up and moved to the door, and looked to Peter. Then to the door. Her hand was on the knob. A deep breath.
No matter how little trust there was, it was still trust. After all, they were supposed to go to prom, weren't they? If she could trust him with being her date to prom, she could trust him not to kill her.
Hopefully.
"It's okay."
She opened the door.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Dr. Nic. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
Imraan kept his finger by the triggers, ready to shoot if he needed to, ready so that he could bring the shotgun up quickly if he had to, willing and able and totally committed to doing what he needed to do. He waited for an answer from inside.
It came.
"Kaitlin?"
That hadn't been what he was expecting.
She opened the door and Imraan just stared down at the girl for a moment, letting the shotgun lower until it was pointed straight down at the floor.
"Hey."
The he smiled. This was good, after all. What else was a girl like Kaitlin except proof of the types he must protect.
"Hey Kaitlin. I'm glad you're OK."
Imraan stepped into the room, glancing at the other boy, Peter McCue. He didn't know Peter that well, but that didn't really matter, did it? Peter McCue had never been so much as mentioned on the announcements.
"Hey man, don't worry. I'm not... well you don't have to worry about me."
Yet, at least.
"I probably can't stay too long. Got stuff to do. But it's good to see you Kaitlin. I know you don't deserve this, and I'm sorry for that. Peter, don't know you too much, but I haven't heard your name comin' from the sky either. That's good."
He sat down on the couch, feeling weary.
It came.
"Kaitlin?"
That hadn't been what he was expecting.
She opened the door and Imraan just stared down at the girl for a moment, letting the shotgun lower until it was pointed straight down at the floor.
"Hey."
The he smiled. This was good, after all. What else was a girl like Kaitlin except proof of the types he must protect.
"Hey Kaitlin. I'm glad you're OK."
Imraan stepped into the room, glancing at the other boy, Peter McCue. He didn't know Peter that well, but that didn't really matter, did it? Peter McCue had never been so much as mentioned on the announcements.
"Hey man, don't worry. I'm not... well you don't have to worry about me."
Yet, at least.
"I probably can't stay too long. Got stuff to do. But it's good to see you Kaitlin. I know you don't deserve this, and I'm sorry for that. Peter, don't know you too much, but I haven't heard your name comin' from the sky either. That's good."
He sat down on the couch, feeling weary.
Ugh never say never
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
Katlin sounded so incredibly excited. She knew this boy... He really couldn't call anyone on the island a boy any more could he? Every single god damned person put through this had proved that they were, indeed, a man. Especially those who hadn't gone the route of playing this far in to the game. This man on the other side of the door was most likely just as armed as he was, but... Katlin trusted him. Wholeheartedly. That would have to be enough.
He closed his eyes, wrapping his hand around the shotgun just a little tighter. Get ready, open the door. Keep the shotgun just in case. Just in case Imraan had snapped and started playing.
Three...
Tw-
Suddenly, before he could even get to one, he heard the faintest of creaks, the sound of a latch opening. His eyes shot open in panic. No, Katlin wasn't supposed to be the one in danger, she was supposed to be protected so that she could live! Opening his mouth to shout, anything that would be just as unhelpful as anything else... The man on the other side stood there, a similar shotgun limply in his hand, draped as if it were nothing more than a schoolbag, gravity dictating its aim.
"Hey."
Imraan's words sounded to be out of shock rather than anything else. Surprised, pleasant shock. That's an emotion he hadn't heard out of someone in far too long. He swallowed hard, following Imraan's gesture, letting the shotgun go with his off hand, and draping it down to the floor. He addressed Katlin, cracking a smile.
A smile...
It had only been nine days, but the concept was already foreign to Peter. A smile... The smallest, but most powerful gesture, no, tool that anyone here on this island had left in their arsenal. A genuine smile. And it was frankly infectious, as Peter nearly immediately found himself with a grin on his face as well.
"Hey man, don't worry. I'm not... well you don't have to worry about me."
That was all Peter needed to hear. Now, he had no way of telling, or knowing if Imraan's words were completely sincere. But... This was unprecedented for the pair. Someone else who was like them. Scared, running, trying to survive, not playing. Someone who just wanted his old life back, who just wanted to go home.
Whether or not Imraan was sincere... Peter felt safe with him in the house. And wasn't that all that really mattered?
"I'm glad to see you... You have no idea how glad I am to see you. It's just been Katlin and I since day two."
He let the shotgun clatter to the floor with a muffled rattle, it coming to rest immediately on the carpeting.
"Another friendly face... I can't believe it."
However, the gears began to turn as their new companion traveled over to, and immediately flopped onto the couch that he and Katlin were on a few minutes ago. Imraan said he had 'stuff to do'. The only thing Peter could think of was...
No. No way in hell. He just didn't want to believe it. Couldn't believe it. His plan on day one had been to undermine the system. Save as many people as he could. Now there were less than one hundred, and it looked like the only two he would be saving were himself and Katlin. If that.
No. Don't think like that.
But if Imraan really was friendly, if he really wasn't playing... Peter could try again. He could save what, maybe a dozen students if he was lucky? Still... He could save them. It was a chance.
But what... Why did Imraan want to leave so badly? All three of them were safe here!
"...What do you mean you have stuff to do?"
He took an involuntary step closer to Katlin. He may not have had a weapon, but his fist clenched protectively, as if by instinct. Something in this just didn't seem quite right, and while his conscious mind refused to accept or acknowledge it, everything else in him did.
He closed his eyes, wrapping his hand around the shotgun just a little tighter. Get ready, open the door. Keep the shotgun just in case. Just in case Imraan had snapped and started playing.
Three...
Tw-
Suddenly, before he could even get to one, he heard the faintest of creaks, the sound of a latch opening. His eyes shot open in panic. No, Katlin wasn't supposed to be the one in danger, she was supposed to be protected so that she could live! Opening his mouth to shout, anything that would be just as unhelpful as anything else... The man on the other side stood there, a similar shotgun limply in his hand, draped as if it were nothing more than a schoolbag, gravity dictating its aim.
"Hey."
Imraan's words sounded to be out of shock rather than anything else. Surprised, pleasant shock. That's an emotion he hadn't heard out of someone in far too long. He swallowed hard, following Imraan's gesture, letting the shotgun go with his off hand, and draping it down to the floor. He addressed Katlin, cracking a smile.
A smile...
It had only been nine days, but the concept was already foreign to Peter. A smile... The smallest, but most powerful gesture, no, tool that anyone here on this island had left in their arsenal. A genuine smile. And it was frankly infectious, as Peter nearly immediately found himself with a grin on his face as well.
"Hey man, don't worry. I'm not... well you don't have to worry about me."
That was all Peter needed to hear. Now, he had no way of telling, or knowing if Imraan's words were completely sincere. But... This was unprecedented for the pair. Someone else who was like them. Scared, running, trying to survive, not playing. Someone who just wanted his old life back, who just wanted to go home.
Whether or not Imraan was sincere... Peter felt safe with him in the house. And wasn't that all that really mattered?
"I'm glad to see you... You have no idea how glad I am to see you. It's just been Katlin and I since day two."
He let the shotgun clatter to the floor with a muffled rattle, it coming to rest immediately on the carpeting.
"Another friendly face... I can't believe it."
However, the gears began to turn as their new companion traveled over to, and immediately flopped onto the couch that he and Katlin were on a few minutes ago. Imraan said he had 'stuff to do'. The only thing Peter could think of was...
No. No way in hell. He just didn't want to believe it. Couldn't believe it. His plan on day one had been to undermine the system. Save as many people as he could. Now there were less than one hundred, and it looked like the only two he would be saving were himself and Katlin. If that.
No. Don't think like that.
But if Imraan really was friendly, if he really wasn't playing... Peter could try again. He could save what, maybe a dozen students if he was lucky? Still... He could save them. It was a chance.
But what... Why did Imraan want to leave so badly? All three of them were safe here!
"...What do you mean you have stuff to do?"
He took an involuntary step closer to Katlin. He may not have had a weapon, but his fist clenched protectively, as if by instinct. Something in this just didn't seem quite right, and while his conscious mind refused to accept or acknowledge it, everything else in him did.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler T-Fox. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
Was this a mistake?
No... no, she couldn't doubt herself. She couldn't doubt Imraan. He was the only one, besides Peter, that she knew anything about. He was the only one she ever really got to know back at school. They were supposed to go to prom together. She had to at least try to trust him, try not to doubt him. But right now, she really didn't know what to think. Peter was uneasy, and when he was uneasy, it made Kaitlin uneasy. He kept her safe and if he didn't think it was particularly safe to have Imraan around... Did she do the right thing? Or would she regret it?
Kaitlin shook her head. She had to give Imraan a chance. But she might hold back on giving him a hug just yet, even if she was happy to see him.
"Yeah.. I'm glad you're okay too."
She didn't have much to say, really. With the tension in the air, she wondered if she should say anything at all, but keeping quiet would just make things worse. They could really use a change of subject, something to focus on besides what they had all been going through and what they had all been planning to do. She didn't know Imraan's plans and honestly didn't want to know. She was just glad to have someone else that she knew with them. Glad to have finally run into someone who wasn't dying, or dead, or killing. Imraan was just Imraan. Tall, intimidating, and just a little bit scary even before all of this happened.
But what could she bring up that would take both Peter's attention and Imraan's attention off of the tension filling the room? They couldn't really talk about anything... what could they talk about that had nothing to do with the game? Home? That would make everyone depressed. Friends? None of them had any friends left alive, and Kaitlin didn't have many to start with. Family? You mean the ones that none of them may get to see again?
This was hard. Kaitlin just wished they could...
Wait.
"A meal!"
Well, if that didn't break the tension, nothing would. Kaitlin just suddenly going from quiet as a mouse to damn near shouting about food.
"Yeah! We could have something to eat. Do you want something to eat? I want something to eat. Can we have something to eat?"
With as much tension that sat between the shotgun toting boys, Kaitlin seemed horribly nervous when she spoke, and didn't quite stop.
"What do we have to eat? Uhhh.... We have bread. Sort of. And crackers... one or two. Uhh... We've got... uhh... a mouthful of water?"
...Crap.
"Uhh... um... we could... catch a bunny?"
This wasn't working, was it?
Please don't kill each other.
No... no, she couldn't doubt herself. She couldn't doubt Imraan. He was the only one, besides Peter, that she knew anything about. He was the only one she ever really got to know back at school. They were supposed to go to prom together. She had to at least try to trust him, try not to doubt him. But right now, she really didn't know what to think. Peter was uneasy, and when he was uneasy, it made Kaitlin uneasy. He kept her safe and if he didn't think it was particularly safe to have Imraan around... Did she do the right thing? Or would she regret it?
Kaitlin shook her head. She had to give Imraan a chance. But she might hold back on giving him a hug just yet, even if she was happy to see him.
"Yeah.. I'm glad you're okay too."
She didn't have much to say, really. With the tension in the air, she wondered if she should say anything at all, but keeping quiet would just make things worse. They could really use a change of subject, something to focus on besides what they had all been going through and what they had all been planning to do. She didn't know Imraan's plans and honestly didn't want to know. She was just glad to have someone else that she knew with them. Glad to have finally run into someone who wasn't dying, or dead, or killing. Imraan was just Imraan. Tall, intimidating, and just a little bit scary even before all of this happened.
But what could she bring up that would take both Peter's attention and Imraan's attention off of the tension filling the room? They couldn't really talk about anything... what could they talk about that had nothing to do with the game? Home? That would make everyone depressed. Friends? None of them had any friends left alive, and Kaitlin didn't have many to start with. Family? You mean the ones that none of them may get to see again?
This was hard. Kaitlin just wished they could...
Wait.
"A meal!"
Well, if that didn't break the tension, nothing would. Kaitlin just suddenly going from quiet as a mouse to damn near shouting about food.
"Yeah! We could have something to eat. Do you want something to eat? I want something to eat. Can we have something to eat?"
With as much tension that sat between the shotgun toting boys, Kaitlin seemed horribly nervous when she spoke, and didn't quite stop.
"What do we have to eat? Uhhh.... We have bread. Sort of. And crackers... one or two. Uhh... We've got... uhh... a mouthful of water?"
...Crap.
"Uhh... um... we could... catch a bunny?"
This wasn't working, was it?
Please don't kill each other.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Dr. Nic. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
"...What do you mean you have stuff to do?"
Imraan could see Peter was apprehensive. That was OK. That was natural. There was no shame in being scared, and Peter and Kaitlin were obviously both scared. Imraan just hoped that they wouldn't think he could stay with them. Before Jessie, before everything else, Imraan would have welcomed them, Kaitlin especially. But now? No. No chance. He'd tell Peter what he was doing, and hopefully Peter and Kaitlin would understand. Hopefully.
He was about to speak when Kaitlin began stammering about food, trying to defuse any tension. Imraan couldn't help but smile again, but only for a moment. Food wasn't exactly on his mind right now, but still.... heck, he needed sustenance. God wasn't going to send a raven down from heaven to feed him if he didn't eat something.
Imraan let go of the shotgun, leaving it on the couch.
"Don't worry, Peter. I got stuff to do yeah, I got people I want to see, don't know if I will because that's not in my hands, but it can wait just a bit. You don't need to worry about it yet."
Yet.
Yet. That word gnawed at Imraan's mind. It troubled him, flitting in and out of his thoughts like a speck of dust in his eye. He'd find those killers, he just hadn't done so YET. Peter and Kaitlin didn't need to worry about him, not YET. What happened later? They couldn't both survive. Surely they had to know that. Maybe they just hadn't thought about that, just not YET.
He got up, taking a few steps into the kitchen.
"Well, who knows? There might be something left over in here. Canned stuff, or something like that. You guys want to help me look? Heck, I'd eat just about anything. Haven't had anything since..."
When had he last eaten, anyway? Hadn't it been...
He was opening a cabinet door, and the memory came again with such force that he slammed it shut with an audible crash, the glassware rattling inside.
Jessie...
"...yeah, since that. Sorry, bad memory. You guys find anything?"
Imraan could see Peter was apprehensive. That was OK. That was natural. There was no shame in being scared, and Peter and Kaitlin were obviously both scared. Imraan just hoped that they wouldn't think he could stay with them. Before Jessie, before everything else, Imraan would have welcomed them, Kaitlin especially. But now? No. No chance. He'd tell Peter what he was doing, and hopefully Peter and Kaitlin would understand. Hopefully.
He was about to speak when Kaitlin began stammering about food, trying to defuse any tension. Imraan couldn't help but smile again, but only for a moment. Food wasn't exactly on his mind right now, but still.... heck, he needed sustenance. God wasn't going to send a raven down from heaven to feed him if he didn't eat something.
Imraan let go of the shotgun, leaving it on the couch.
"Don't worry, Peter. I got stuff to do yeah, I got people I want to see, don't know if I will because that's not in my hands, but it can wait just a bit. You don't need to worry about it yet."
Yet.
Yet. That word gnawed at Imraan's mind. It troubled him, flitting in and out of his thoughts like a speck of dust in his eye. He'd find those killers, he just hadn't done so YET. Peter and Kaitlin didn't need to worry about him, not YET. What happened later? They couldn't both survive. Surely they had to know that. Maybe they just hadn't thought about that, just not YET.
He got up, taking a few steps into the kitchen.
"Well, who knows? There might be something left over in here. Canned stuff, or something like that. You guys want to help me look? Heck, I'd eat just about anything. Haven't had anything since..."
When had he last eaten, anyway? Hadn't it been...
He was opening a cabinet door, and the memory came again with such force that he slammed it shut with an audible crash, the glassware rattling inside.
Jessie...
"...yeah, since that. Sorry, bad memory. You guys find anything?"
Ugh never say never
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
((Moving this along a little bit.))
Imraan's words were so soothing. While they still didn't sit quite right, in Peter's mind, that was enough. He was a friend, he wasn't a threat... right? He had to be. There was no alternative, he just plain had to be. He had people to see. How had that not crossed Peter's mind? How was he so paranoid, so apprehensive about a fellow classmate? It was less than two weeks ago, everyone was at least civil towards each other, if not friendly. Had he left his humanity that far behind?
As the word yet rang in the air, his mind, and eyes, wandered back to Katlin.
No... No, I still have my humanity. All three of us do.
There was no getting around it. This game changes people. They hadn't lost their humanity... They hadn't been on the announcements. The people he really had to fear, the people he had to... he had to... kill... on sight...
Yeah... Those were the people that had lost their humanity to the game. Those were the people who had been changed the most.
The image of that boy, getting shot with an arrow at the sawmill momentarily flashed through his mind, and he allowed himself an involuntary shudder.
The silence was obviously awkward as Peter ran through so many possibilities, so many scenarios in his mind, trying to force them back to the good ones, the ones worth his time. The ones that would make this a little more bearable, a little less terrifying. Apparently Katlin had already picked up on it, because she had already begun stammering about food. As nervous and worried as she sounded... She was right, there really wasn't all that much more that they could really eat. There was shitty bread (almost gone), or trapping another animal (not happening in a town). Before he could even say something though Imraan was already rummaging around in the kitchen.
He mentally kicked himself for being so inattentive.
The creak of a cabinet opening, quickly followed by a loud crashing sound. He jumped as soon as the sound of broken glass echoed throughout the otherwise stoic house, his hands locking up into fists, his foot crossing between Katlin and the kitchen door, as if he were about to slide up in front of her, to defend her. The shotgun was too far away if he wanted to, if Imraan wanted to... And besides, that wouldn't be his instinct anyways. He still hadn't fired the damn thing yet.
"...yeah, since that. Sorry, bad memory. You guys find anything?"
He slowly crept up to the door jam, peeking his head around, smiling as he noticed that it was just broken glass in the cabinet. He wasn't drawing a weapon, making a weapon or anything.
God damn it Peter... For the love of hell stop it. He's your friend!
That wasn't completely true... but... Yeah it was. Stop kidding yourself. On this island, if they're not hostile, they're your friend.
"We haven't even had the state of mind to look." Stepping full out from his hiding place, he slunk around the corner and opened up another cabinet on the other side of the room. "A couple of little cans, yeah... We can probably make something out of this. Well, something a lot better than moldy bread."
---
A few minutes later, about five cans and a box sat on the counter top next to the stove. Three cans of SPAM, two cans of Green Beans, and a box of Rice Krispies, far past their expiration date. He glanced at what to anyone else would be the most disgusting combination ever. But to the three of them, it was pretty much going to be a feast. The stove wouldn't light, apparently the gas main had been cut. Glancing through the window behind the sink, the sun was just setting... But cooking outside was a bad idea.
Wait... They were right next to the woods. After quickly verifying with Katlin, Peter darted outside, making sure to grab the shotgun and sling it over his back along the way. He wasn't getting caught off guard while breaking branches for firewood, of all things.
A few minutes later he had returned, carrying an arm load of twigs, and one or two slightly larger logs, that almost looked like they had begun to rot. Smiling, he let the armful fall behind the fireplace gate, coughing a little bit as it kicked up the dust of fires gone by. It made him think really. Who had this place belonged to? How many romantic nights were spent on that exact love seat, in front of a cozy, roaring fire? What was life here even like before the game was brought here?
It really was a sad thought... Especially if Danya and his men had to clear out... Okay, enough of that thought.
With his knowledge, it was pretty easy to get a fire going, and the moment he noticed the large log catch, the SPAM and beans went in his mess kit, and the mess kit went right on top of the embers.
SPAM, Beans, and Cereal. Nasty any other day of his life. Today? Amazing. And he couldn't think of anyone but Katlin better to share it with. Flopping back down on the couch, he patted the seat next to him, indicating for her to come sit next to him while they waited for the low quality meat product to sear a little bit.
The noise of the crackling fire was broken as Peter addressed Imraan with the first actual discussion question of the entire evening. More than the hellos and I'm glad to see yous. He had been curious. Curious what this man had gone through that he and Katlin didn't. He had mentioned a bad memory before, but... It wasn't that pointed of a question. Imraan would most likely avoid it if he really wanted to.
"So..." He glanced up to the roaring flames. Something about a fire really made a place feel like home to him. "...How have you been making the past week go by?" His voice was somber, solemn... Thoughts of the horrors he had seen dancing through his own head.
That question probably wasn't the best idea.
Imraan's words were so soothing. While they still didn't sit quite right, in Peter's mind, that was enough. He was a friend, he wasn't a threat... right? He had to be. There was no alternative, he just plain had to be. He had people to see. How had that not crossed Peter's mind? How was he so paranoid, so apprehensive about a fellow classmate? It was less than two weeks ago, everyone was at least civil towards each other, if not friendly. Had he left his humanity that far behind?
As the word yet rang in the air, his mind, and eyes, wandered back to Katlin.
No... No, I still have my humanity. All three of us do.
There was no getting around it. This game changes people. They hadn't lost their humanity... They hadn't been on the announcements. The people he really had to fear, the people he had to... he had to... kill... on sight...
Yeah... Those were the people that had lost their humanity to the game. Those were the people who had been changed the most.
The image of that boy, getting shot with an arrow at the sawmill momentarily flashed through his mind, and he allowed himself an involuntary shudder.
The silence was obviously awkward as Peter ran through so many possibilities, so many scenarios in his mind, trying to force them back to the good ones, the ones worth his time. The ones that would make this a little more bearable, a little less terrifying. Apparently Katlin had already picked up on it, because she had already begun stammering about food. As nervous and worried as she sounded... She was right, there really wasn't all that much more that they could really eat. There was shitty bread (almost gone), or trapping another animal (not happening in a town). Before he could even say something though Imraan was already rummaging around in the kitchen.
He mentally kicked himself for being so inattentive.
The creak of a cabinet opening, quickly followed by a loud crashing sound. He jumped as soon as the sound of broken glass echoed throughout the otherwise stoic house, his hands locking up into fists, his foot crossing between Katlin and the kitchen door, as if he were about to slide up in front of her, to defend her. The shotgun was too far away if he wanted to, if Imraan wanted to... And besides, that wouldn't be his instinct anyways. He still hadn't fired the damn thing yet.
"...yeah, since that. Sorry, bad memory. You guys find anything?"
He slowly crept up to the door jam, peeking his head around, smiling as he noticed that it was just broken glass in the cabinet. He wasn't drawing a weapon, making a weapon or anything.
God damn it Peter... For the love of hell stop it. He's your friend!
That wasn't completely true... but... Yeah it was. Stop kidding yourself. On this island, if they're not hostile, they're your friend.
"We haven't even had the state of mind to look." Stepping full out from his hiding place, he slunk around the corner and opened up another cabinet on the other side of the room. "A couple of little cans, yeah... We can probably make something out of this. Well, something a lot better than moldy bread."
---
A few minutes later, about five cans and a box sat on the counter top next to the stove. Three cans of SPAM, two cans of Green Beans, and a box of Rice Krispies, far past their expiration date. He glanced at what to anyone else would be the most disgusting combination ever. But to the three of them, it was pretty much going to be a feast. The stove wouldn't light, apparently the gas main had been cut. Glancing through the window behind the sink, the sun was just setting... But cooking outside was a bad idea.
Wait... They were right next to the woods. After quickly verifying with Katlin, Peter darted outside, making sure to grab the shotgun and sling it over his back along the way. He wasn't getting caught off guard while breaking branches for firewood, of all things.
A few minutes later he had returned, carrying an arm load of twigs, and one or two slightly larger logs, that almost looked like they had begun to rot. Smiling, he let the armful fall behind the fireplace gate, coughing a little bit as it kicked up the dust of fires gone by. It made him think really. Who had this place belonged to? How many romantic nights were spent on that exact love seat, in front of a cozy, roaring fire? What was life here even like before the game was brought here?
It really was a sad thought... Especially if Danya and his men had to clear out... Okay, enough of that thought.
With his knowledge, it was pretty easy to get a fire going, and the moment he noticed the large log catch, the SPAM and beans went in his mess kit, and the mess kit went right on top of the embers.
SPAM, Beans, and Cereal. Nasty any other day of his life. Today? Amazing. And he couldn't think of anyone but Katlin better to share it with. Flopping back down on the couch, he patted the seat next to him, indicating for her to come sit next to him while they waited for the low quality meat product to sear a little bit.
The noise of the crackling fire was broken as Peter addressed Imraan with the first actual discussion question of the entire evening. More than the hellos and I'm glad to see yous. He had been curious. Curious what this man had gone through that he and Katlin didn't. He had mentioned a bad memory before, but... It wasn't that pointed of a question. Imraan would most likely avoid it if he really wanted to.
"So..." He glanced up to the roaring flames. Something about a fire really made a place feel like home to him. "...How have you been making the past week go by?" His voice was somber, solemn... Thoughts of the horrors he had seen dancing through his own head.
That question probably wasn't the best idea.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler T-Fox. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
Yes. Food. Food was good. They didn't need to discuss or dwell on bad memories, and she jumped a little when Imraan mentioned one. Bad memories were bad and she didn't want them to ever come up. She wanted them to be happy, and safe, and together. She wanted them to find some food and make a meal and have themselves a little feast if they could. Anything was better than bread and water and when the search began, Kaitlin did her best to pitch in. Peter was still uneasy, looked like he was having trouble relaxing. Kaitlin was too... but that, hopefully, would go away. Imraan was nice. Scary looking, maybe, especially with that shotgun, but he was a nice boy.
Everything would work out. Everything would get better. They could all be happy now. Right?
God, she hoped so.
It didn't take long before they found everything that they would find. It wasn't much, but it was so, so much better than bread and water. She may not have been the biggest fan of spam and stale cereal, but anything was better then bread and crackers. Yes, even spam. Really, compared to what they had been eating the past week, this was a feast. And it didn't even require the death of any poor little furry critters. To Kaitlin, that was the greatest thing ever at that moment. The warmth of a nice fire, the smell of cooking food, the company of friends, the safety of home. It was a perfect moment.
It didn't last long.
She knew why he asked it, she really did. She just wish he hadn't. Things were going so nice, they didn't need to be reminded that they were on an island in the middle of nowhere, fighting for their lives and fearing every little thing. They didn't need to discuss that or think back on any of the horrible things they had gone through. Kaitlin sure as hell didn't want to think back on the events of the past few days. The felled forest, the sawmill, the announcements, the bunny. That damn bunny. Why did it need to be a bunny? If they ever got out of here, she was getting a bunny. She was getting all the bunnies, just to make up for that.
She didn't know why she was for comfortable. But she knew why she hated anything that took away from that. This was home, and she was happy. She was able to go a little while, just a little while, without thinking about who was out there just waiting to kill them. And now here she was, thinking about it again. She stared down at the floor for a while.
"Do we really need to go back out there?"
She wanted to stay there. She wanted to stay in their new home until the world came to an end around them, and they were all that was left. Even if she would never be able to leave that home again, she would have preferred it to ever going back out into the island.
She sighed. There wasn't much they could do about that though. Imraan had his plans, and Peter had his own. Kaitlin was going to stay with Peter, no matter what.
"Imraan? If you really do leave tonight... will you promise me something?"
She turned to him.
"Promise to stay safe. Promise to stay alive. And promise to stay Imraan."
Imraan was Imraan. And she wanted it to stay that way.
"Promise. No matter what."
Everything would work out. Everything would get better. They could all be happy now. Right?
God, she hoped so.
It didn't take long before they found everything that they would find. It wasn't much, but it was so, so much better than bread and water. She may not have been the biggest fan of spam and stale cereal, but anything was better then bread and crackers. Yes, even spam. Really, compared to what they had been eating the past week, this was a feast. And it didn't even require the death of any poor little furry critters. To Kaitlin, that was the greatest thing ever at that moment. The warmth of a nice fire, the smell of cooking food, the company of friends, the safety of home. It was a perfect moment.
It didn't last long.
She knew why he asked it, she really did. She just wish he hadn't. Things were going so nice, they didn't need to be reminded that they were on an island in the middle of nowhere, fighting for their lives and fearing every little thing. They didn't need to discuss that or think back on any of the horrible things they had gone through. Kaitlin sure as hell didn't want to think back on the events of the past few days. The felled forest, the sawmill, the announcements, the bunny. That damn bunny. Why did it need to be a bunny? If they ever got out of here, she was getting a bunny. She was getting all the bunnies, just to make up for that.
She didn't know why she was for comfortable. But she knew why she hated anything that took away from that. This was home, and she was happy. She was able to go a little while, just a little while, without thinking about who was out there just waiting to kill them. And now here she was, thinking about it again. She stared down at the floor for a while.
"Do we really need to go back out there?"
She wanted to stay there. She wanted to stay in their new home until the world came to an end around them, and they were all that was left. Even if she would never be able to leave that home again, she would have preferred it to ever going back out into the island.
She sighed. There wasn't much they could do about that though. Imraan had his plans, and Peter had his own. Kaitlin was going to stay with Peter, no matter what.
"Imraan? If you really do leave tonight... will you promise me something?"
She turned to him.
"Promise to stay safe. Promise to stay alive. And promise to stay Imraan."
Imraan was Imraan. And she wanted it to stay that way.
"Promise. No matter what."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Dr. Nic. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
After a week surviving on carbs and water, the sudden influx of protein was like manna from heaven, and it was everything Imraan could do to not wolf down the canned meat as fast as humanly possible. He'd have never thought that Spam was something that could actually be savored, but clearly, he'd been spoiled beforehand. The three of them ate together, and Imraan hoped that Kaitlin and Peter were also relishing the moment, but eventually, he knew that it was coming to an end.
Post-meal, Peter broke the silence with a question he seemed pained to ask. Imraan drank some water and just looked at his two companions for a minute. He was thinking. Trying to choose his words without getting angry.
"Me? Yeah, not that well. You know Peter, I think you and Kaitlin actually have the right idea here. You only gotta look after each other. Me? What did I do, I tried to look after everyone. Course I did. What was I expecting to happen?" He shrugged, folding his long arms over his chest.
Kaitlin spoke up then, and Imraan looked at her. Ah, hell. This was tough. What could he say? He wished he could do that. He wished he could be like Kaitlin. But could he? Could he not follow through on his promise? On his will? On His will?
No. No, to do that, to back down now, THAT would be unforgivable. To all of them. God. Jessie. Himself. The Holy Trinity of Imraan demanded he do what needed to be done.
"Kaitlin... the first two, I can't promise that. I'm sorry, girl. I really am, but you have to know I can't. The third one... I'll try."
Imraan didn't know if that was a lie or not. But it was the only answer he could give. He got up, and moved to Kaitlin, wrapping her arms around her in a brief, awkward hug.
"People like you deserve to live. You don't deserve to die... like Jessie did. Like all the other kids out there did. But... well, only one of us is gonna be alive at the end. I don't know who."
He gathered his shotgun and bag.
"Just stay good, Kaitlin. You take care of her, Peter. Don't get any blood on your hands. I've got stuff to do out there. Make sure that someone like you gets to get out of here alive."
Yes. He was staying strong. Staying true. The will was there. And when he found the killers, the players, the will would not desert him.
"Bye, Kaitlin."
He left them behind, and never saw them again.
(Imraan Al-Hariq continued in Maria Graham's Series of Unfortunate Events)
Post-meal, Peter broke the silence with a question he seemed pained to ask. Imraan drank some water and just looked at his two companions for a minute. He was thinking. Trying to choose his words without getting angry.
"Me? Yeah, not that well. You know Peter, I think you and Kaitlin actually have the right idea here. You only gotta look after each other. Me? What did I do, I tried to look after everyone. Course I did. What was I expecting to happen?" He shrugged, folding his long arms over his chest.
Kaitlin spoke up then, and Imraan looked at her. Ah, hell. This was tough. What could he say? He wished he could do that. He wished he could be like Kaitlin. But could he? Could he not follow through on his promise? On his will? On His will?
No. No, to do that, to back down now, THAT would be unforgivable. To all of them. God. Jessie. Himself. The Holy Trinity of Imraan demanded he do what needed to be done.
"Kaitlin... the first two, I can't promise that. I'm sorry, girl. I really am, but you have to know I can't. The third one... I'll try."
Imraan didn't know if that was a lie or not. But it was the only answer he could give. He got up, and moved to Kaitlin, wrapping her arms around her in a brief, awkward hug.
"People like you deserve to live. You don't deserve to die... like Jessie did. Like all the other kids out there did. But... well, only one of us is gonna be alive at the end. I don't know who."
He gathered his shotgun and bag.
"Just stay good, Kaitlin. You take care of her, Peter. Don't get any blood on your hands. I've got stuff to do out there. Make sure that someone like you gets to get out of here alive."
Yes. He was staying strong. Staying true. The will was there. And when he found the killers, the players, the will would not desert him.
"Bye, Kaitlin."
He left them behind, and never saw them again.
(Imraan Al-Hariq continued in Maria Graham's Series of Unfortunate Events)
Ugh never say never
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
Brayden Betancourt
Chris Passilidis
Adi Wheelwright
Fey Zelenka-Morrison
Always Remembered:
v7!
G080 - Nikki Nelson-Kelly - DECEASED Castles Fall in the Sand
v6!
B029: Aiden Slattery - DECEASED Get Off the Floor
G058: Kaitlyn Greene - DECEASED She Knew She'd Found Freedom
v5!
G038: Deanna Hull - DECEASED From Sea to Sky
B023: Jesse Jennings - DECEASED From Vision to Glory
v4!
G077: Andrea Raymer - ALIVE
B022: Imraan Al-Hariq - DECEASED
B006: Ricky Fortino - DECEASED
G036: Carly Jean Dooley - DECEASED
v3!
G045 - Eris Marquis - DECEASED
B104 - Jonathan Lancer - DECEASED
((Minor GMing hopefully approved by Dr. Nic. My IM is breaking so as soon as I get a hold of him, I will confirm.))
The meal was fantastic, especially for what it was, all things considered, and Peter frankly never wanted it to end. It almost reminded him of the campouts he used to go on. The patrol sitting around the fire, cooking, eating, telling stories... Okay, that last one was a bad idea, but still. It was the feeling of security and comradery that the fire brought every time he was around one. It felt like home. And hell, he could even imagine the senior kids packing Spam for a lunch as a trick to play on the younger boys back when he first joined when he was twelve.
He felt the corner of his lips curl into a soft smile as he sat and remembered the shenanagains that they would get up to way back when. Back in the good old days.
But... All good things come to an end. His little query hadn't gone unanswered, and while it was nice to break the silence... What could he expect? Of course Imraan's week had been going just as poorly as everyone else's. Then again they were alive so there was that, but... What kind of a stupid question had that been?
Imraan folded his arms, his face seeming to suddenly become cold, bitter, distant. At least that's how Peter took it. He closed his eyes and allowed his teeth to clench over his tongue, holding the infernal thing in place as not to be the cause of any more strife. Any more hurt.
And poor Katlin... She was taking this just as hard as she was. She made him promise to stay safe, stay alive and to... stay him. Something about that made him feel all bubbly inside, touched him. It was the sweetest thing he had ever heard so far as he was concerned. Such a innocent girl... She didn't deserve this. Especially not Imraan's answer... But who could blame him? He was just being realistic. Only one person would survive... And if the Imraan she knew was to stay himself, then that would involve killing... Katlin's intention didn't go unnoticed though.
"The third one... I'll try."
...Good.
If anything, it was a promise, a start. When you think about it anyways, any person who loses their life here without changing, without breaking, without leaving their morals behind... That was how to undermine the game. That was the proverbial third option. He was still going to try to escape, he had to... But the more likely option. Stay strong, and die the way you lived.
"You take care of her, Peter. Don't get any blood on your hands. I've got stuff to do out there. Make sure that someone like you gets to get out of here alive."
He felt tears welling up. It's amazing how fast you get attached to someone, how much of a pillar of strength they become in your darkest hour. His lower lip curled in, and he blinked the droplets away, fighting them for just long enough, instead offering Imraan a stark nod. He didn't understand, and frankly he never would. But he knew Imraan had priorities.
Someone like me... Someone like us... I wonder who he has in mind.
And with a flash, as if a ghost, Imraan was gone, the door clicking shut behind him. Even the socially inept Peter McCue could hear the sorrow and regret in Imraan's voice as he made his final departure their lives.
He had been strong for so long, but he knew the next time he heard Imraan's name would be on the announcements.
...and stay Imraan.
Hopefully not on the killing end.
His head swiveled as he looked up from his squatting position on the floor in front of the dying embers, looking at the poor, scared girl, his charge to protect. The flimsy tin fell to the ground, and his arms wrapped around her form.
"I..."
No words could reassure after that... He was feeling it too, and she knew him before. What would he say. It's going to be alright? He'll survive? Blatant lies... Nothing would be alright again. At least not until they were back in the civilized world. No words could convey how much he cared, how much he wanted to steal her pain away, take the hurt onto himself and leave her a happy girl once again.
She turned her head to his. He could see tears streaking those beautiful cheeks... A caring finger raised to wipe one away. Before she could say a word of thanks, of longing, of sadness, of anything, his lips met hers. Not the gentle brushes and pecks from days before that had even then made his heart flutter and caused him to be giddy like a little schoolgirl. For the first time he knew passion. It was meaningful.
It said "I love you."
The meal was fantastic, especially for what it was, all things considered, and Peter frankly never wanted it to end. It almost reminded him of the campouts he used to go on. The patrol sitting around the fire, cooking, eating, telling stories... Okay, that last one was a bad idea, but still. It was the feeling of security and comradery that the fire brought every time he was around one. It felt like home. And hell, he could even imagine the senior kids packing Spam for a lunch as a trick to play on the younger boys back when he first joined when he was twelve.
He felt the corner of his lips curl into a soft smile as he sat and remembered the shenanagains that they would get up to way back when. Back in the good old days.
But... All good things come to an end. His little query hadn't gone unanswered, and while it was nice to break the silence... What could he expect? Of course Imraan's week had been going just as poorly as everyone else's. Then again they were alive so there was that, but... What kind of a stupid question had that been?
Imraan folded his arms, his face seeming to suddenly become cold, bitter, distant. At least that's how Peter took it. He closed his eyes and allowed his teeth to clench over his tongue, holding the infernal thing in place as not to be the cause of any more strife. Any more hurt.
And poor Katlin... She was taking this just as hard as she was. She made him promise to stay safe, stay alive and to... stay him. Something about that made him feel all bubbly inside, touched him. It was the sweetest thing he had ever heard so far as he was concerned. Such a innocent girl... She didn't deserve this. Especially not Imraan's answer... But who could blame him? He was just being realistic. Only one person would survive... And if the Imraan she knew was to stay himself, then that would involve killing... Katlin's intention didn't go unnoticed though.
"The third one... I'll try."
...Good.
If anything, it was a promise, a start. When you think about it anyways, any person who loses their life here without changing, without breaking, without leaving their morals behind... That was how to undermine the game. That was the proverbial third option. He was still going to try to escape, he had to... But the more likely option. Stay strong, and die the way you lived.
"You take care of her, Peter. Don't get any blood on your hands. I've got stuff to do out there. Make sure that someone like you gets to get out of here alive."
He felt tears welling up. It's amazing how fast you get attached to someone, how much of a pillar of strength they become in your darkest hour. His lower lip curled in, and he blinked the droplets away, fighting them for just long enough, instead offering Imraan a stark nod. He didn't understand, and frankly he never would. But he knew Imraan had priorities.
Someone like me... Someone like us... I wonder who he has in mind.
And with a flash, as if a ghost, Imraan was gone, the door clicking shut behind him. Even the socially inept Peter McCue could hear the sorrow and regret in Imraan's voice as he made his final departure their lives.
He had been strong for so long, but he knew the next time he heard Imraan's name would be on the announcements.
...and stay Imraan.
Hopefully not on the killing end.
His head swiveled as he looked up from his squatting position on the floor in front of the dying embers, looking at the poor, scared girl, his charge to protect. The flimsy tin fell to the ground, and his arms wrapped around her form.
"I..."
No words could reassure after that... He was feeling it too, and she knew him before. What would he say. It's going to be alright? He'll survive? Blatant lies... Nothing would be alright again. At least not until they were back in the civilized world. No words could convey how much he cared, how much he wanted to steal her pain away, take the hurt onto himself and leave her a happy girl once again.
She turned her head to his. He could see tears streaking those beautiful cheeks... A caring finger raised to wipe one away. Before she could say a word of thanks, of longing, of sadness, of anything, his lips met hers. Not the gentle brushes and pecks from days before that had even then made his heart flutter and caused him to be giddy like a little schoolgirl. For the first time he knew passion. It was meaningful.
It said "I love you."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler T-Fox. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
He just... left. He said what he wanted to say, and he just left. Just like that. He could have at least waited until the morning. Maybe they could have gone with him then. Maybe they could have stuck together. Watched each others backs, took care of each other, protected one another. Made sure none of them did something foolish. Made sure none of them got hurt. But no. He just left them there. He didn't promise anything and just left. Kaitlin... didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to do. There wasn't anything she could say. She wanted to be upset, she wanted to be mad, but she couldn't do anything. The rules were different here and no matter how much she wanted to deny it, she knew that what Imraan had to do was necessary. People were doing terrible things here and Imraan had seen far more than either Peter or Kaitlin.
The rules were different and Imraan was trying his best. She couldn't fault him for that.
She just really wished he would have promised her. Even if it meant he would have to lie. She would have preferred that. No, she wouldn't... but she could at least say she would have preferred that. Try to convince herself. It wasn't working very well. Kaitlin just sat, and stared, and tried her best to close her mouth and keep herself from crying again. Cause Imraan knew it, and Peter knew it and even Kaitlin knew it. They would never see Imraan again. The last time they would hear about Imraan would be on the announcements tomorrow, or the day after that, or the day after that. But within the week, Imraan would be dead. Within the week, Imraan would have killed someone. Neither option was very desirable.
Kaitlin would never see Imraan again... and she didn't know if she could handle that.
No, she knew. She knew the moment that he turned and stepped out the door that she wouldn't be able to handle it. She knew the moment he couldn't promise her anything that she wouldn't be able to handle it. But she didn't know what to do. It was all she could do to just keep herself from getting upset, but she really didn't know what to do. She wanted Peter to tell her what they were going to do, what was going to happen. But all that happened when he looked at her, and she looked at him, was Peter pulling her close with his arms around her. So warm. So comfortable. So safe.
Kaitlin couldn't help it.
They just sat like that, and Peter tried to say something, but there was nothing left to say. There was nothing either of them could say that would make it all better. When they were finally looking each other in the eye again, there were no words. There was nothing to be said between them. Just small comforts, the brush of a hand on a cheek and the wiping away of tears. And then it came.
The kiss.
That one kiss.
Real. Emotional. Passionate.
That one, real, true kiss.
She loved him. And he loved her. And she couldn't keep that in anymore. It just slipped out suddenly when they broke their embrace. It was simple, and it was sweet, and it was spoken in the softest manner. It wasn't much, but it was the most concrete thing they had now. On this island where everything ended so quick, where everything would have to come to an end when it was all over, it was the single most important thing she'd ever said. So simple, and small, yet more important than anything.
Just three little words.
"I love you."
The rules were different and Imraan was trying his best. She couldn't fault him for that.
She just really wished he would have promised her. Even if it meant he would have to lie. She would have preferred that. No, she wouldn't... but she could at least say she would have preferred that. Try to convince herself. It wasn't working very well. Kaitlin just sat, and stared, and tried her best to close her mouth and keep herself from crying again. Cause Imraan knew it, and Peter knew it and even Kaitlin knew it. They would never see Imraan again. The last time they would hear about Imraan would be on the announcements tomorrow, or the day after that, or the day after that. But within the week, Imraan would be dead. Within the week, Imraan would have killed someone. Neither option was very desirable.
Kaitlin would never see Imraan again... and she didn't know if she could handle that.
No, she knew. She knew the moment that he turned and stepped out the door that she wouldn't be able to handle it. She knew the moment he couldn't promise her anything that she wouldn't be able to handle it. But she didn't know what to do. It was all she could do to just keep herself from getting upset, but she really didn't know what to do. She wanted Peter to tell her what they were going to do, what was going to happen. But all that happened when he looked at her, and she looked at him, was Peter pulling her close with his arms around her. So warm. So comfortable. So safe.
Kaitlin couldn't help it.
They just sat like that, and Peter tried to say something, but there was nothing left to say. There was nothing either of them could say that would make it all better. When they were finally looking each other in the eye again, there were no words. There was nothing to be said between them. Just small comforts, the brush of a hand on a cheek and the wiping away of tears. And then it came.
The kiss.
That one kiss.
Real. Emotional. Passionate.
That one, real, true kiss.
She loved him. And he loved her. And she couldn't keep that in anymore. It just slipped out suddenly when they broke their embrace. It was simple, and it was sweet, and it was spoken in the softest manner. It wasn't much, but it was the most concrete thing they had now. On this island where everything ended so quick, where everything would have to come to an end when it was all over, it was the single most important thing she'd ever said. So simple, and small, yet more important than anything.
Just three little words.
"I love you."
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler Dr. Nic. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.
((GMing permission granted from Dr. Nic. Again.))
It felt so right. Suddenly, everything just fell into place. The stars aligned, and his heart told him what he had done was right. He would have time to marvel that he had successfully analyzed a social situation for the first (and probably last) time in his life. Starry-eyed. Yeah, that worked. That described how Peter felt right now. He'd never been this close to someone in his entire life. Either physically or emotionally.
The blood vessels in his face and body dilated, not from embarrassment, but the adrenaline that came with this incredible feeling, and a warm shiver shot through his spine. He felt Katlin's arms rub against his back as his body body gently trembled in such a pleasured way. That contact. It was so warm, it made everything feel right. Imraan wasn't in his mind anywhere anymore, even though he just walked through that door to his death not minutes ago. But he didn't even have enough of his mind left unoccupied for the feeling of selfishness, the one thing that his paranoia had always forced room for. No, something tugged at the back of his mind, but he for once in his life had the strength to push it away.
Her strength flowing through him, from her fingertips to his. When did their hands clasp between them? When had her head found its way to his shoulder, soft hair nestling into the nape of his neck, her warm breath washing over him, the phantom feeling of it enveloping him completely. His fingers flexed in her hand as he let out a soft sigh, head tilting to hers, an affectionate touch.
His heart guided, and he listened. All was right. For a moment the entire world revolved around this one boy and this one girl, together, away from the pain. Comfort, strength, love. Love...
Another soft kiss. It was silent enough that you could hear a pin drop, the soft noise of skin touching skin nearly echoing through the room, echoing through his own mind. Each moment engraved on a new slide, filed away in the very front of his mind. The here and now.
Parting. Just an inch. Just enough to gaze at each other, the bond strengthening with the potpourri of blue and green. Warmth flowing through the room, cause by the spark and fire, though the embers were barely a crackle beside them.
He stood, not knowing why, at least not in his conscious. The faint look of longing that greeted his gaze. Never parting, always together. Fingers interlocked, power, a bond that could never be broken. This is what he was fighting for. The here and now. Moments that couldn't be replaced, things that money could never buy, things he would never have discovered if it weren't for her.
Each step, climbing higher, closer to cloud nine. Never again would he be alone. Higher and higher he climbed, the blue below their feet seeming to washing into a fast ocean. Beauty in everything around him. She was his port in the storm. A beacon, her pale skin radiating, a joy he had never seen from her. Warm hands clasped around his waist, a form pressing against his back, a momentary pause in the motion. Stop to smell the roses, pick one up, gift it to your love. Lips touched again, delectation plastered everywhere he could look. Everything melted away. Pastel blues, the ocean on which they stood, walking on water, the strength unfound ever before guiding them. One step at a time, one more time. Moving towards that plateau. A soft click, metallic, pierced the serenity of his mind. Yet again they were close. Closer than before. Bodies pressed against each other, affection, the room seeming to warm as her presence entered.
Lie down on your cloud, oh angel of mine, lie down and rest with me.
A warm softness on his neck, another shiver of ecstasy. Every moment, every frame a new snapshot. Pushing the old from the back, discarding them on the floor. Skin against skin. No words were needed, all was understood with each touch, each sigh, each flash of soft crimson upon this Angel's cheeks. More falling to the ground, more being lost, yet so much more gained. Uncertainty was ever-present, but courage derived from love. A gentle caress, on top of the world. Not a thing would bring him down.
"Katlin..."
Everything was in a name, and no other name would ever be so sweet, every sound music to his ears. Ecstasy building from every touch, it was all going so fast but replaying so slowly. Every single moment, another snapshot in time, another thing to savor, to hold dear, to cling to every day of his life. His life was hers, and her life was his, sealed with a single touch, a single moment, growing closer and closer with each and every embrace, every word, every sound.
So close to her, so powerful. Tired, yet happy, his energy spent in mere minutes, the power of love, of passion. His savior, his guardian angel. The blues and whites, the reds and greens all fading slowly into one, mixing, an embrace, so close, so warm, so tight, so safe in her arms, lying upon the cloud for which they had made, had been slowly working towards their entire lives, never stopping, yet never realizing. Slowly fading from view as sleep overtook him, though unbridled joy yet lept from his heart.
((Peter McCue and Kaitlin Anderheim continued the next morning...))
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Inspiration and Dedication from and to a very special person on this site.
It felt so right. Suddenly, everything just fell into place. The stars aligned, and his heart told him what he had done was right. He would have time to marvel that he had successfully analyzed a social situation for the first (and probably last) time in his life. Starry-eyed. Yeah, that worked. That described how Peter felt right now. He'd never been this close to someone in his entire life. Either physically or emotionally.
The blood vessels in his face and body dilated, not from embarrassment, but the adrenaline that came with this incredible feeling, and a warm shiver shot through his spine. He felt Katlin's arms rub against his back as his body body gently trembled in such a pleasured way. That contact. It was so warm, it made everything feel right. Imraan wasn't in his mind anywhere anymore, even though he just walked through that door to his death not minutes ago. But he didn't even have enough of his mind left unoccupied for the feeling of selfishness, the one thing that his paranoia had always forced room for. No, something tugged at the back of his mind, but he for once in his life had the strength to push it away.
Her strength flowing through him, from her fingertips to his. When did their hands clasp between them? When had her head found its way to his shoulder, soft hair nestling into the nape of his neck, her warm breath washing over him, the phantom feeling of it enveloping him completely. His fingers flexed in her hand as he let out a soft sigh, head tilting to hers, an affectionate touch.
His heart guided, and he listened. All was right. For a moment the entire world revolved around this one boy and this one girl, together, away from the pain. Comfort, strength, love. Love...
Another soft kiss. It was silent enough that you could hear a pin drop, the soft noise of skin touching skin nearly echoing through the room, echoing through his own mind. Each moment engraved on a new slide, filed away in the very front of his mind. The here and now.
Parting. Just an inch. Just enough to gaze at each other, the bond strengthening with the potpourri of blue and green. Warmth flowing through the room, cause by the spark and fire, though the embers were barely a crackle beside them.
He stood, not knowing why, at least not in his conscious. The faint look of longing that greeted his gaze. Never parting, always together. Fingers interlocked, power, a bond that could never be broken. This is what he was fighting for. The here and now. Moments that couldn't be replaced, things that money could never buy, things he would never have discovered if it weren't for her.
Each step, climbing higher, closer to cloud nine. Never again would he be alone. Higher and higher he climbed, the blue below their feet seeming to washing into a fast ocean. Beauty in everything around him. She was his port in the storm. A beacon, her pale skin radiating, a joy he had never seen from her. Warm hands clasped around his waist, a form pressing against his back, a momentary pause in the motion. Stop to smell the roses, pick one up, gift it to your love. Lips touched again, delectation plastered everywhere he could look. Everything melted away. Pastel blues, the ocean on which they stood, walking on water, the strength unfound ever before guiding them. One step at a time, one more time. Moving towards that plateau. A soft click, metallic, pierced the serenity of his mind. Yet again they were close. Closer than before. Bodies pressed against each other, affection, the room seeming to warm as her presence entered.
Lie down on your cloud, oh angel of mine, lie down and rest with me.
A warm softness on his neck, another shiver of ecstasy. Every moment, every frame a new snapshot. Pushing the old from the back, discarding them on the floor. Skin against skin. No words were needed, all was understood with each touch, each sigh, each flash of soft crimson upon this Angel's cheeks. More falling to the ground, more being lost, yet so much more gained. Uncertainty was ever-present, but courage derived from love. A gentle caress, on top of the world. Not a thing would bring him down.
"Katlin..."
Everything was in a name, and no other name would ever be so sweet, every sound music to his ears. Ecstasy building from every touch, it was all going so fast but replaying so slowly. Every single moment, another snapshot in time, another thing to savor, to hold dear, to cling to every day of his life. His life was hers, and her life was his, sealed with a single touch, a single moment, growing closer and closer with each and every embrace, every word, every sound.
So close to her, so powerful. Tired, yet happy, his energy spent in mere minutes, the power of love, of passion. His savior, his guardian angel. The blues and whites, the reds and greens all fading slowly into one, mixing, an embrace, so close, so warm, so tight, so safe in her arms, lying upon the cloud for which they had made, had been slowly working towards their entire lives, never stopping, yet never realizing. Slowly fading from view as sleep overtook him, though unbridled joy yet lept from his heart.
((Peter McCue and Kaitlin Anderheim continued the next morning...))
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Inspiration and Dedication from and to a very special person on this site.
This is an archival account used by staff to port posts belonging to the handler T-Fox. While this handler hasn't been around in quite a while, should they return and wish to take custody of this account and/or its posts, they are welcome to do so by contacting staff.