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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 9, 2010 19:12:21 GMT -5
August followed him clear out of the woods; Cool, refreshing grass replaced the soft pine needles. She felt strange outside the forest, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Her eyes were glued to Mr. Distressed, wondering what his real name could be. She tried a few out, but none ever seemed to fit. Reggie? Mason? Paul? August wasn't ready to ask for his name, let alone start a conversation. He didn't speak either, which was fine with her, because she couldn't answer back. Sheldon suddenly stopped and just pointed. August's feet walked on in the indicated direction, and as the slight fog cleared she saw a hazy figure sitting on the edge of the dock. August looked back, her eyes searching for Hubert, but the fog had already swallowed him. She walked along the narrow dock, glad she wasn't wearing noisy, clunky shoes. As the distance between August and the man on the dock lessened, she saw his features more clearly. He was a punk, old compared to her, but to the world, he was still young.
August's tongue ran over her canine, her sweet tooth. She popped a caramel in her mouth and chewed absent-mindedly. Unaware, she moved closer. He stared into the water, looking at something deeper. August tried to see what he was looking at, but to no avail. All she saw was the murky water. She sniffed, smelling her caramel, but along with it came the scent of alchohol. Her head twisted at an odd angle, looking like a curious owl. She blinked slowly several times. "Are you drunk?"
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Post by Anty on Jul 10, 2010 18:04:32 GMT -5
Anthony sat near the edge of the water, his knees were pressed tightly against his chest, his arms hugging his knees. His dirty boots sat beside him as he let the waves splash against his feet. His black jeans were rolled halfway up his calf. He came to the beach because he needed to think, to clear his head. But he had brought a six pack of beer with him, which, by now, was completely empty. To put it simply, he was wasted. Big surprise. He stared into the clear water and he couldn't seem to take his eyes away from it. Why can't everything be so pure? he thought bitterly. And he thought of Evan. He thought of his dreams again... Not the dreams about the talismans, but the ones where his loved ones always died. Where Evan always died. And Anthony killed him, somehow. What if it wasn't a dream? What if Anthony did kill Evan? Anthony pulled the leather jacket closer around his body, shielding off the stray drops of water. He chewed his bottom lip involuntarily. His hair was blond now. It was a long story, but to put it simply, he had gotten drunk. That's what Evan had told him, anyways... He didn't remember it and it gave him quite a scare the next morning.
He didn't hear her coming. The waves muffled most sounds. It was hard to tell, masked by the smell of beer and cigarettes, but there was something sweet in the air. Candy? Of course he was drunk so anything was possible, but he wasn't imagining this. He shrugged it away and tried to forget about, but his shoulders were tense. He wet his lips his with tongue and realized they were salty from the water splashing against his face. And then he heard a voice, but it wasn't just his mind playing tricks on him. What had it said? Drunk? He turned his head slowly around. It was hard to see through the night air, and maybe his eyes were just playing tricks on him, but he saw a child. They couldn't be any older, could they? Or maybe they were just really short? No, it was a girl, and she couldn't be any older than perhaps sixteen. "Do I know you, sweetheart?" he said, rising to his feet hesitantly. He turned a 180 so that he was facing her and staggered sideways a few steps. "I said, 'do I know you, sweetheart?'" he said, not so charming as before. He kept staring at her, it was too dark to see her eyes now. His hand wrapped itself around the hilt of his pistol, which he never let leave his side, not even when he occasionally slept. He didn't sleep, afraid he would dream. He held the gun with two hands just below his waist.
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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 10, 2010 18:51:47 GMT -5
"I said 'Do I know you, sweetheart?'" Blondie repeated.
The corners of her lips curled upwards. "No..You don't." August didn't know anyone, save for family and Mr. Distressed, but then again, she didn't really know Mr. Distressed. August watched him stagger and she glanced down at the empty beer cans. Most Definitely drunk. Nothing but the sound of crashing waves, but she didn't mind the silence.
August took him in hungrily. He reminded her of Mr. Distressed. Not so much physically, but the dark circles under his eyes. Some of that was guy-liner, but it was obvious he hadn't slept in quite awhile. Blondie gave off the same feel as Mr. Distressed, a sort of animalistic ferocity. His clothes were black and he was barefoot. Maybe going barefoot was more common then i thought.. The thought made her feel better.
Her mind began to wonder, some of it related, others not so much. She wondered why Distressed brought her here, to him. He obviously wasn't her cousin. She already knew that, but his blond hair did bring the physical resemblance closer. August smiled to herself. His eyebrows are still black.. Then she saw the gun. Guns didn't scare her, not like knives.
Normally, she didn't talk, but the gun caught her interest. "I've never seen a gun. Is it.. loaded?" August didn't realize it, but she was moving closer. It looks too small to kill someone. Strange how odd little things like this can end a life. August realized she was losing herself. She turned around, hoping Mr. Distressed would come back and explain. With the gun out of her sight, her fascination ended, and she realized just how bad a position she was in.
She didn't know where she was. She followed Mr. Distressed without knowing his real name, not the smartest move. And now she's talking to a new stranger. Correction: A new drunk stranger, who's armed. August seriously began wondering how she got where she was and why she was here in the first place. Blondie made her feel threatened. Maybe it was the way he was looking at her, like prey. August couldn't exactly tell. She started to slowly back away, her eyes never leaving his gun.
Then the small voice in the back of her head whispered smugly, Told you so.
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Post by Anty on Jul 11, 2010 23:03:28 GMT -5
Anthony felt vulnerable out in the open like this. And this girl... she seemed so innocent. So pure, guilt free. That was just the opposite of Ant. He chewed on his lip. Well of course she didn't know him, he had never seen her in his life, but it was always smart to ask. He shrugged, "Didn't think so," he muttered mostly to himself. Was his gun loaded? He wasn't sure of it himself. "Yes, of course... Wait, no. Maybe? I don't know! What was the question again?" he asked, now completely confused.
He looked more closely at her, was she... amused? There was also something else Anthony guessed was pity. Of course, they always pitied the fool. Maybe she even thought that he was weak from his lack of sleep, and she pitied him for that. He circled around so that he was beside her. There was something else though, something untamed. Another talisman, he realized. He didn't know how he knew it, but he did. Which side is she on? he wondered. Not an innocent because they all knew better than to go looking for hunters, and not a hunter just because she didn't seem like the type. That only could only mean she was an undecided, or at least that was his best guess. That meant he would have to convince her to join the hunters. No, not convince, but threaten. The only way that he knew how to do so was by fear, and it wasn't so hard, for someone like him. He leaned in just close enough so that his lips brushed the hair around her ear, "You better pray to your god, sweetheart, because I'm dedicating my immediate future to destroying yours."
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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 11, 2010 23:36:07 GMT -5
"Yes, of course... Wait, no. Maybe? I don't know! What was the question again?" August's cheeks hurt from smiling so much. She'd stop if she could, but he was interesting. He talked more than Mr. Distressed, too.
August looked back at his face, and couldn't help but notice the dark circles and bloodshot eyes. She felt bad... August pitied him. She never had sleeping problems, and he looked absolutely exhausted. As he circled around her, She felt that 'animalistic ferocity', growing with each step. The little voice in the back of her head had abandoned the whispers, Leave now! NOW. August's breathing picked up, and her heart pumped faster than she was accustomed to.
"You better pray to your god, sweetheart, because I'm dedicating my immediate future to destroying yours."
His breath tickled her ear, and sent shivers down her spine.
Her heart sank. She tried to move, but her legs had a different idea. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. All she could do was think, so she thought back to Mr. Distressed. What did she do? She felt real bad about scaring him; August didn't mean to. The little voice returned to it's whisper, sounding as if it was devoid of all hope, Curiosity killed the cat.
August looked at the face of Curiosity. He was an untamed blond, who wasn't afraid to kill.
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Post by Anty on Jul 12, 2010 0:59:23 GMT -5
A devious smile curled onto Anthony's face. His plan was falling together nicely, especially for one so unprepared. The only sound was the waves crashing against the sand and the occasional spoken words. He liked it when they were quiet, though, it got the process over with faster. The question about his gun was still buzzing around in his head, though. Was it loaded? In his drunk mind, there was only one way to know. His smile widened, lighting up his features. "There's only one way to find out, sweetheart," he said. And before he knew it the gun was aimed, cocked and the trigger was waiting. His crooked teeth were bright in the moonlight. He pulled it.
And... nothing. The gun wasn't loaded. It was a good thing, too. He would have thrown away an opportunity to recruit another hunter. Surly that would have upset a few folks. But it wouldn't have bothered him because he was just that heartless. He threw his head back and let out a demented laugh, but there was no humor in it. He looked at August, involuntarily stroking the hilt of the gun. "But there is another option besides this, you know."
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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 12, 2010 1:27:09 GMT -5
The click of the unloaded gun, caused a strange sound to erupt from August's lips. It sounded something between an excited giggle, and a child thrown playfully into freezing water. Her conscience scolded her, but she stopped listening. She wasn't dead. Maybe Curiosity wasn't as lethal as she thought. August listened to his laugh till it died. It was weird, but she liked it.
August's eyes followed his hands as they stroked the gun. "But there is another option besides this, you know." But his voice sounded strange, like he was underwater. She wasn't paying much attention, and even her conscience was muffled. August gazed past Curiosity, and a distant smile crossed her face. She looked toward the end of the dock. The water looked chilly; her smile faltered. She wasn't all that good at swimming. Her lungs hurt just from thinking about it. Distracted, she bit a small piece of chocolate, and looked the opposite direction. The dock was long and narrow. Her smile returned, and August looked back at Curiosity. "Surely, I can out run a drunk." She thought out-loud.
But she didn't bolt. If i leave now..i won't ever know why I'm here. Her smile disappeared, as her conscience spoke up. Idiot! it hissed You finally come up with an idea that isn't stupid, and you change your mind?! She pushed it away, a lot easier considering how much practice she had. August's eyes returned to Curiosity. She looked at his crooked nose, and understood he knew how to fight. Whether he was any good really didn't matter. August mentally shrugged, either way, she'd have to do what he said.
She blinked a couple of times. "Why do you hate me so much?" The question had popped up into her head, and she asked it without thinking. Blondie said it himself. He didn't know her. So why did he shoot a gun at her? August looked directly into his eyes, as if they were windows leading to his thoughts. She tried to find answers..
But all she saw was a harsh, unfeeling green.
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Post by Anty on Jul 12, 2010 23:09:47 GMT -5
Anthony chuckled. "You'd be surprised how much damage a gun can do when it's thrown at a moving target," he said smugly. But the truth was he was bluffing, he could never hit her while he was drunk. He had started seeing double anyways, and would have been even harder. He hoped she wouldn't decide to run because there would be a slim chance of him ever seeing her again. He tossed the gun from hand to hand, but he missed and it landed on his foot. A noise escaped his lips that sounded like a cross between a scream and a gasp. He didn't do anything about it besides a few colorful curses though, because if he looked away from the girl, even for half a second, then surely she would be smart enough to see her escape. And even if it was just for half a second, there was no way he could catch her. But she didn't run, she didn't even try.Once he was sure that she had no plans to run, he sat down in the sand, cross-legged.
"Why do you hate me so much?"
The question made the blood drain from his face. He didn't hate her, it was all an act. But how would she know that? He felt a wave of guilt hit him. He ran his hands through the sand. Once he had thought about it, he realized how big of a dick he had become. It was some sort of epiphany, or something. He lit a cigarette. "Look, you can go if you like. Just think about what I've said. It'll be easier to join the hunters now, because if you don't... " he trailed off and his face looked like it was in pain. "If you don't, I will personally have to hunt you down and kill you later." That was, of course, another lie, but at least he wasn’t promising her immediate death. That was a good thing, wasn’t it? But still, maybe it was better to kill her before he got to know her… Maybe he would end up hating her, and it would all be okay, but it wasn’t likely. To be truthful, her life depended on the choice she was about to make.
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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 13, 2010 0:21:22 GMT -5
August's eyebrows knit together, and her lips formed a scowl. She sat down beside him. "You still haven't answered my question. " Her eyes never left his face, but something was different about him.. then it hit her, his eyebrows were blond. He turned to her with all his crooked teeth showing in one big proud grin, but this wasn't Curiosity. It was her father. August looked around, but they weren't at the dock; They were back in Iceland, at her house. Her mother hugged her father from the back. They were the picture of the perfect family. Her mother's dainty voice broke the silence, "Early turner, just like her father." A warm smile evident on her face, but it was fake. She was uncomfortable with her daughter being a fox. If August could have changed, she would. She hated to disappoint. "Helen, She can't control that. It isn't right to blame her for what she is. Besides, she'd make a great Inn- But he was silenced with her mother's glare. August noticed the whispered conversation. It was almost impossible not to, compared to the usual silence of her house. A few tense whispers floated over..
I will not allow her to be sucked into that silly war!
It isn't silly. This is the reason she has a talisman! Besides, we'll be with her the entire time.
But what if she gets hurt? We can't always be there.
August stopped listening. The hair on the back of her neck bristled with indignation. Why does everyone think i can't handle myself? That was the first time she'd realized she was tired of all her parent's suffocating love. That was the day, that she and her conscience became two separate people. Don't be mad. They care. her conscience soothed. That use to work, but something changed within August. Her parents sent her to bed, not realizing she was upset, "Go to sleep, Darling. You must be tired. After all, you've had a long day." They watched her go up the stairs, her mother full of concern, and her father full of ambition. Her mother had no confidence in her, while her father wanted her to be the greatest.
She looked out her window, into the dark. She could have seen every star in the beautiful Icelandic sky, but she wasn't looking at the sky. She was looking at the ground. Her conscious was puzzled Wha..What are you planning to do? August mulled the question over, but couldn't come up with an answer. August stepped up onto the sill. "Simple. I'm not planning anything. I'm tired of planning." saying it out-loud. August jumped, not intending to die, just to break free. She couldn't hear anything, but she was glad for that. The ground was getting closer, or was that her? Right before she kissed the ground, she snapped out of it.
She was staring back at Curiosity, and her father was gone. Blinking rapidly, August looked at him, feeling a little homesick. She listened to him, a few terms rang a bell. August thought back to her talisman, and the conversation they had together. She avoided answering the question. August wasn't sure that she wanted to decide. She'd been happy up till now, right? ..No, she hadn't. She'd been content, but never happy. She'd been lonely, but not so far to drive her crazy. Or had it already done that?
..August wasn't sure if she was cut out to be a hunter. Her inadequacy was a soft spot for her. She ignored him. August wasn't aware of how long her flashback had lasted, and she didn't know if he had already answered her question. "What did i do to make you hate me?"
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Post by Anty on Jul 13, 2010 3:55:02 GMT -5
“I know that I believe I understand what I think you said, but I'm not sure I realize that what I heard is not what you meant... What was the question again?” he asked, but the girl was already gone. Yet again silence engulfed them. He placed his elbows on his knees and his forehead in his hands. Closing his eyes, he entered a flashback from years ago, when he was only seventeen...
Anthony was in his room at his foster parent's house. He was lying on his bed, listening to obnoxious rock music. He had lost track of time, but it must have been near dinner time because his stomach growled. He moved silently down the shadowy hallway and ran quickly down the creaky stairs, but something made him hesitate... Sobbing. He peaked his head around the wall that lead to the kitchen to see his mom crying and his dad's arms wrapped around her. His dad led her to the kitchen table. He must have just gotten back from work because he was still in a suit. Anthony leaned against the wall, biting his lip. Something was definitely wrong.
"Maybe you were mistaken?" he heard his dad's comforting voice ask. His dad could always cheer his mom up or calm her down when she was angry. "No. I wasn't," his mom said, her voice was full of anger and something else Anthony couldn't quite detect. His mom was normally such an easy-going person, what could make her so upset? "Come on, Molly, it couldn't have been that bad."
"But it was! There were pills in his room!" she hissed angrily."How many?" he asked, his voice full of pain. Anthony's dad had always felt pity for his son and let him off the hook. His mom was the more protective one of the two. "I don't know, Arthur, a lot."
Anthony cursed under his breath. Yes, he had taken pills. Yes, he was trying to commit suicide.
"His grades have been slipping, too," she added.
"His grades were already horrible, Molly, in case you've forgotten."
"They are worse!"
"Funny, I didn't know that was possible."
"Me neither... "
Anthony's parents had always expected too much of him from the start. He wasn't smart and he didn't have smart birth parents. But they always said that if he tried hard enough and studied he would be well off. Well, that was far from the truth, was it not?
"Arthur, our son is a failure."
"No, he's not. You expect too much out of him."
"You're right. He's not our son."
Anthony sneezed. He tried to sneak away, but it was already too late. His parents heard. "Honey!" his mother screamed, wiping the tears from her eyes. Anthony headed for the front door, grabbing his car keys from the hook on the wall. He looked at his mother, a new hate had been found. "You're right, you aren't my mother," he snarled, opening the door. He stepped out, but hesitated. "Oh. And yes, you're right. I was trying to kill myself." He slammed the door. He didn't know where he was going. Anywhere was better than here.
"What did I do to make you hate me?"
Anthony looked at the girl. Tears were running down his face. Why did he choose to revisit that awful memory? He saw the similarities between the both of them now, though. Neither of them were proud of their childhood and they weren't happy with the present. That only left the future, and it wasn't looking to bright, the way things were going. He smiled. "I don't hate you. In fact, I think you're not too bad. But I never caught your name."
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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 13, 2010 4:31:12 GMT -5
August saw the tears. Her face got all hot, and she looked away. ..Was it something i said?
"I don't hate you. In fact, I think you're not too bad. But I never caught your name." It was an odd sight, tears and smiles. Well, he was an odd person. One minute he's threatening her, then the next he's crying.. Oh well, August learned by now, that the people here in Noatak were far from normal. "It's August Frost." She tried to look into his eyes, but all she could see were his tears. August looked away, blushing a violent shade of red. "Um.. Here." She stuck out her hand, a warhead in the dead center of her palm. August dropped it into his hand, not waiting for him to take it. "Now..uh. Stop crying." It was the best she could do; Consoling wasn't her strong point. August looked at the candy, wanting some herself. She pulled one out of her pocket, and tossed it in her mouth. Her lips puckered, her mouth watered, and tears welled up in her eyes. Bad idea.
August looked out as the sun made it's steady climb upward. She fought off a yawn, and laid down in the sand. It was soft and inviting. "Can i know your name?" A tired smile crossed her features as she added, "Or do i have to call you Blondie forever?" Her eyelids were heavy, but she didn't want to go to sleep without knowing his name. August thought of exciting things. Her entire day was the most excitement she had since leaving Iceland. Despite all the death threats and close encounters, if August could go back to when she met Mr. Distressed.. She'd still have followed him.
For once, August talked to her conscience instead of the other way around. Sometimes, Chances are worth taking.
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Post by Anty on Jul 13, 2010 5:07:31 GMT -5
Why was he crying? He was a man. Think monster trunks. He wiped the tears from his eyes. He had stayed at his best friend's house a couple of days before returning home, but after that his parents sent him to a mental health facility. He got the occasional call saying, "We miss you honey," or "We wish you were here." But if all that was true, then why had they sent him here in the first place? He wasn't wanted anymore, and that was stated clear. Once he got out, he was old enough to live on his own, and he did. He never spoke to his parents after that. It had been almost ten years now and it killed him inside. He used to love them so much... And it was all his fault, wasn't it?
August Frost. It had a nice ring to it.
"Now..uh. Stop crying," August had said. Anthony nodded somberly. He looked at the candy in his hand. He hadn't had candy in forever... But what if it was a trap? What a noble death. He shrugged and popped it into his mouth. He regretted it as soon as it hit his tongue. He gagged and spit it back into his hand. His tongue was burning and his eyes watered. "What was that? he asked, throwing the wet ball into the sand.
His name? That was a simple enough request. Besides the fact he did not want to be called Blondie forever. He snorted. "Anthony," he said simply.
Anthony looked over to August, "Oh. You look... tired," he stated. He yawned himself now. But he didn't want to sleep out in the open like this. "I've got an apartment. You can crash on the couch... If you'd like."
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Post by Augustus is a SWOObat on Jul 13, 2010 5:39:33 GMT -5
August peeked out from under her closed eyelids, watching him carefully. A hint of a smile hit her face when she saw the suspicion in his eyes. Silly boy, her thoughts bubbled Candy doesn't hurt people. He gagged, and she fought hard to stifle her laughter, but that was a losing battle. "It's a Warhead. It's suppose to be sour."
Anthony didn't give her a last name, but she didn't press him. If Anthony was all he wanted to give, then so be it. At least August had something to work with.
Tired? She hadn't slept all night, but that was a sacrifice she was willing to make, if all her nights were exciting as this one. August tried to laugh, but she didn't have the energy. "Look who's talking." August glanced back up to the dark rings around his eyes. She wondered when was the last time he'd slept.
August thought about his offer, but she didn't have to think long. She wasn't inclined to sleeping on the sand. Her conscience had been silent so far, that August almost forgot about it. Don't. Normally, August wouldn't respond, but something about the way her conscience said it bugged her, like there was something wrong with Anthony. ..And why not? He's a nice kid. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, August heard an exasperated sigh that hadn't come from her. He isn't a kid. He's practically twice your age, and you don't even know his last name. What if this 'nice kid' thing is all just an act? August didn't care. Her conscience was almost as unbearable as her parents. What was the point of living if she only lived a half life? August came to Noatak to do just that, live. And this was one of the first steps in living an actual life. "Thank you, I'd like that a lot." As August got up, she couldn't resist. Then he's a good actor. Without words, she felt the disgust and anger her conscience felt toward her. August couldn't believe she'd ever been like her conscience.
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