``In Need Of A Change {Summah}

[Matthias James Reilly]

Vittoria

I didn't quite know where I was. I only had a slight idea. The harbor. I didn't know what compelled me to be here, just that something told me I had to be, and it was important. I wanted to leave, but that same instinct that led me here told me to stay. Why? I didn't know, and honestly, I could care less. It was pretty peaceful here. The water was calm, the boats in the harbor still.

The sky was darkening, and I was alone. Again, I didn't care too much. I gave up caring a long time ago. Except for Griffin. I could never give up on him, not in a million years. I had loved him, and he loved me. How could I give up on love? How could anyone? They'd be crazy to give up. Especially if the person you loved disappeared without a trace one day. You wouldn't give up if they were the ones who helped you through everything bad in your life.

The thoughts of Griffin seized me. The shook my mind and gripped my heart with ice cold hands. I tried to get images of a dead body out of my head. He was't dead, though. I knew it. But images of his dead body haunted me. There was something wrong with that, though, considering the fact that no one found him, he disappeared without a trace.

I shut the thoughts down, forced them out of my head. I didn't want to forget. I needed to forget. Forget Griffin ever exsisted. It was best for me. But I just couldn't move on. I wouldn't. I wouldn't accept that he was gone. He was gone forever and there was nothing I could do about it. Not anymore.

I stood at the edge of the harbor. The water was calm, welcoming. I debated jumping. It wasn't that far down. But I knew the water was deep. I wouldn't be able to touch bottom standing up straight...Unless I went all the way down...What was I thinking?! I backed away from the water slowly, retreating a few steps. I couln't jump, couldn't die. I'd never know what happened to Griffin. And I needed to know. My whole life depended on it.

A lone tear slid down my cheek. I couldn't do this any longer. I couldn't go on not knowing. It was killing me. Breaking me down, peice by peice. Everything I knew was wrong. I was hanging out with Cold Pulse, for crying out loud! But it didn't matter. They made me feel accepted. So I was fine with it.

Time to head back. If I can remember where to go. I wasn't so big on knowing my way around. I never paid attention and easily got lost. But I thought I could figure my way back to the Cold Pulse hangout. I didn't really want to, but there really wasn't anywhere else for me to go.

I turned away from the water. The darkness was falling rapidly and shadows collided with reality. I wasn't sure if there was anyone here, but I knew I didn't want to be here at night. I started back the way I came, and was suddenly overcome with tiredness. I started moving slowly, my limbs heavy with exhaustion. I could tell I wouldn't get back till really late, and probably not sleep again tonight.

When would I ever learn?

[Summer]

everybody's talkin 'bout blowin up the neighborhood
everybody's gonna break it up today

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everybody's talkin 'bout blowin up the neighborhood[/size][/font]
running just to get away
[/center]

<sub>I walked down the dark streets and alleys around the Harbor. I knew my way around this section of town. In fact I knew my way around the entire city. I had grown up here. I had been running and hiding here my entire life since the age of twelve. Due to my father. Do to my own father, I was running around the city trying to escape the police and the child labor officers and anyone else who was after me. It was all his fault. He had been the one that destroyed our family. When we used to be so happy… But those were all long lost memories now, and the family I had now was Butch and Riv. Teen Choice. They were my home now. They were my family. Riv had taken me in just like everyone else that he had taken in. I was fighting back against my dad. I would not live a horrible life, because of what I had seen at the young age of twelve. He would not ruin me.

I suddenly heard a small, quiet whine from my side. I looked down and saw Butch trotting beside me. I smiled. I had been lost in my own mind again and Butch was trying to get my attention. ”What is it boy?” I asked stopping and turning towards him. I crouched down balancing on my toes. I took the sides of his face and laughed. ”What is it?” I repeated.

He shook his head, knocking my hands loose and I grinned again. I watched him sneeze, ”Bless you.” I mumbled. He looked up to me and yipped at me, and then turned to look down a small alley that lead off to the harbor’s edge. He looked back at me, and I looked out to where he had been looking. There was a silhouetted body standing by the water’s edge. It was a girls figure. That was all that I could tell from this angel, and this distance. There was no way in telling if she was one of us or not. It was time to investigate.

I pat Butch on the head. ”Good boy, Stay back… I’ll call if you are needed.” I smiled down at him, and riffled his fur. ”Stay.” I emphasized the word. I turned towards the silhouette and made my way slowly towards it, sticking to the shadows. I watched it with such intensity that I was sure that the girl would feel the intensity of my gaze. She would feel my eye boring into her back, but she turned around and started walking, towards me.

I put one foot up against the wall, still covered in shadows. I glanced back to where Butch had been, and saw him watching me carefully. I motioned for him to hide, and he didn’t waste a moment. He dashed behind a trash bin. I stood there and waited for the figure to approach, though I slowly began to creep against the wall, closer to her. If I didn’t know her, then this would be interesting. I waited. Griffin would have been telling me to ignore it, or her rather. But I wasn’t like he and I had been anymore. After everything, despite myself I had changed… Griffin and I had been exactly a like, everything was the same. Except the looks. We had been fraternal twins. And now he was gone.

I shook the thoughts of Griffin away I didn’t need them right now. Now I was focusing on the girl who I now realized I didn’t know, now that I had gotten close enough. I spoke in a deep and haunting voice, ”Who are you?” It wasn’t a question that she could answer, it was a demand. ”Who are you?!” I repeated, but remanded in the shadows.</sub>

Tags;; Jace, Tori.
Status;; Done!
Outfit;; What he's wearing.
Lyrics;; My December – Linkin Park
Notes;; Post Back Angel!
Word Count;; 691.

[Matthias James Reilly]

Vittoria

I didn't see the person. But I definitely heard him. I jumped as he demanded with high authority who I was. I didn't know what to do. If he found out I was Cold Pulse, he'd kill me for sure.

My only option was to run.

I took off in the opposite direction, unaware of which way to run. Oh, God. Please don't let him catch me! I begged silently. I pumped my arms furiously and my legs pushed forward effortlessly. It kind of happens like that when your life could depend on it.

I kept running, not sure where I was going. I didn't know this part of the city. Wraith and the others always told me to stay away. Why was I so tupid as to disobey? I needed to get back, but I couldn't let this goon keep chasing me. He'd find our hideout and I'd be dead for sure!

I ran and ran, and it felt like I was going in circles. I wasn't sure which road led where, and I knew the guy who saw me was right there. But I couldn't give up. No. I wouldn't give up.

That's what I thought when I was looking for Griffin. And now here I am. Thinking about Griffin made me stumble. I ducked into an alley and sat on the ground. Hopefully no one would find me and I could go home safely.

[Summer]

I watched her bolting in the opposite direction, and I wasted no time. I took off after her, like a bullet out of the barrel of a gun. This girl obviously wasn't one that I knew. She was running away from me, and that meant that she was intimidated, meaning she wasn't from around here. All the girls from around here, knew never to be intimidated on their own grounds, and she wasn't. She was scared.

I turned after her, making every move that I could, as fast as I could. I heard a small scampering of four paws gaining on me, and I pointed down a different alley way. "Cut, her off." I spoke in a strong voice. I knew he would listen, and know what to do, as I watched him wheel off down the alley that I had pointed to. He do what was need.

I followed her from as long as possible and then I veered off down my own alley way, knowing the only other exit from the route that she was taking. I knew these parts of town better than the back of my hand. I knew everything to the trash cans on the corners to the walls that lined these alleys. I knew it all. Every brick and every crack. This was my home. This was my place.

I ran with all my might, and then turned, veering right, and stopped instantly, waiting for her to turn around the corner. I looked over at the other exit that she could possibly take and saw a furry bullet hiding off in the shadows. I motioned to him and smiled. Good job. He brought his head down, and then back up. He was good at this. I looked back towards the place she would come bounding around the corner. And then I would have her. She would be backed against a wall, and I would have her.

[Matthias James Reilly]

I was running hard, and usually I didn't get scared. But for some reason, that unknown stranger scared me a little more than he should have. I kept running, my legs pumping. That's it, keep going. I told myself. I skidded around a corner and stopped as fast as I could. I knew in that split second that something was wrong, that someone was there.

And there he was. The shadow out near the bay. I stumbled backward, feet still peddaling from the stop. I fell onto the cold hard ground, and I knew my expression was that of a deer in headlights. Oh, God. Don't let it end here. I pleaded. But why was I so afraid of this guy? I lived among Cold Pulse, and they tought me well. But I couldn't shake the fear I felt being so close to this guy.

I knew I had no time to get up. So what was I going to do? I wasn't going to give up. No way, no how. I scambled backward, trying to get up at the same time. I knew it was pointless, but I tried nonetheless. It wouldn't end here.

[Summer]

I watched her come to a hault. We had her. I didn't know who this chick was, and I didn't know why she was here, but I was about to find out. I didn't know anything that was going on here, except for the fact, that I had just won this little race or wits and speed.

I looked over to Butch, and he was already, ready for me to give the signal for him to get her, but I held him back with a hand. I rushed over to her and stood beside her, picking her up off the ground and pulling her, slowly off to the side of the alley way.

I pressed her back against the brick wall, and then called out to Butch. "Look who we got here boy." and then out of the corner of my eye I saw him bolt for the alley with a blur of color. I forgot how much he looked like a wold this time of year.

I turned my attention back to her, feeling Butch standing beside me. "So, what brings you all the way out here, huh?" I asked. My voice wasn't intimidating, it was simply a matter-of-fact type of tone. She looked scared shitless, and well, that was ok. I wasn't going to hurt her, unless she gave me a reason.

[Matthias James Reilly]

I felt myself being picked up and being slammed against a wall. My eyes squeezed shut as I heard him talking to someone. I opened my eyes, but the dog wasn't the first thing I noticed.

Griffin's eyes. But it wasn't Griffin. He hadn't looked anything like that the last time I had seen him. In fact, he wasn't even blonde. I almost didn't hear his voice, asking me what I was doing out here.

I mustered up my courage, struggling a little against his hands holding me back. I could break out if I wanted to, but I'd given the satifaction that he was stronger. "I was wondering. Got lost." I muttered a short response.

I tried my best not to utter Griffin's name. I knew it wasn't him. I mean, I don't even know why I made the connectoin with the eyes. They weren't even the same color. It was the deep look in his eyes. I looked away, at the dog, then back at him. "Let me go."

[Summer]

[ooc] I added a twist!

I looked at her, seeing her looking like she was lost in thought. Like she was mezmorized by something. I knew the second that she spoke the answer to my question, of her being here, it was a lie. The way she had said, anyone would have been able to tell she was lying. It didn't take a scientist to be able to tell in this situation.

I watched her look at Butch, and then back at me. "I'll let you go, once you tell me the real reason, for being around here." My voice wasn't shaky, wasn't wavered. It was strong and steady. And I was thankful for that. I normally wasn't like this with interrogations. Even if it wasn't my own.

I looked back at the girl. "Why are you here, and why do you bother lying to me?" I asked, my grip on her arms getting tighter. For some reason I felt bad the instant my hands gripped her tighter. Then the voice came:

Let her go. I knew the voice.

Griffin. Long time no talk, huh? I was surprised by him just now coming into my head and talking to me again. I knew it wasn't really Griffin. After all, Griffin was dead. But this was the only way that I felt he was near.

He only said three more words and then was gone. Let her go.

I paused as I looked at her, and then suddenly, without warning released her from my grasp. "Look, I'm gonna hurt you unless, A. You try running again, B. You give me a reason to, C. unless you piss me off, or D. All of the above. So I suggest you done of the things I just listed..." I trailed off and then looked down at her. I knew that I had the same look that Griffin used to always give me when he was sorry. And I was. I was sorry, if I had hurt her. I hadn't meant to.

I glanced at Butch he had his eyes on her, hew was on guard and I knew it. But i didn't think that there was going to be a problem, not right now anyways.

[Matthias James Reilly]

How could this jerk think I was lying? I was telling the truth, for once in my life. I had been wondering the streets and ended up there. This kid scared the living daylights out of me so I ran. What's so hard to believe about that?

I was just about to mouth off to him when he squeezed tighter. I winced, but didn't say anything. He kept talking, telling me what I shouldn't do. I stared intently back, all trace of emotion wiped off my face. Suddenly, I was dropped the few short inches to the ground. I was surprised he had let me go. But I wasn't about to complain.

I continued my intense glare at the guy in front of me, only taking my eyes off him momentarily to rub my arms where he had me pinned. I glanced down at the dog, still staring, then back up. I wasn't going to tell him anything. I wasn't even going to notify him that I wasn't telling him anything.

But then I'd be here forever and it was already dark. Great. Wraith's gonna kill me. I thought. If this creep doesn't first. Keeping my voice calm and smooth, I gathered myself and took a silent breath before speaking.

"Just let me go. It's not like I came here to spy. If I was, do you really think I'd be stupid enough to sit out in the open like that and get myself caught?" It was true. I wouldn't have done that. And this was good logic. There's no way he could deny that. And if he still thought I was lying, then he was one stupid person.

I worked up enough courage to take a step forward. It wasn't like I was going to run, or beat him or his dog or anything. I just wanted to walk away without a fight so Wraith didn't kill me for getting caught. And God knew he would. I started to push past him, but knew that I probably shouldn't have done that...

[Summer]

I stood there with Butch at my side, and I looked down at him. I brought my hand up and patted his head. He was a good dog. The pat on the head, let him know that. I then looked back up at her, as she tried to reason with me. Whatever I wasn't really in the mood to argue. But then she took a step forward.

I instantly heard a low, guttural growl in the base of Butch's throat, and I tensed up at the sound. She tried t shove past us, but Butch ran a few feet in front of her, and stopped, his hackles raised, and snarling at her, showing his teeth. I knew that he was still trying to protect me, and the fact that I had been chasing this girl. He thought that there was a good reason to either hurt her, of take her down. But there really wasn't. I had just been on guard so much lately.

I ran up beside him, and yelled "Hey, back down!" I was talking to Butch and the growl lessened in his throat, but it was still there. You could slightly hear it. I turned back to her, and spoke. "Hey, look..." I trailed off, "If you just so happened to walk into the Harbor, and you had no time frame, then what's the rush to leave, huh?" I asked, still pressing for a real answer as to why a girl like her would bother to be in this section of town. I needed to know.

[Matthias James Reilly]

Seeing the dog run at me like that was a little scary. Or maybe more than I thought. I jumped back and listened as the guy who pinned me to the wall told the dog to back down. Or was he talking to me? Either way, it didn't matter. I just wanted to get out of there.

I could see why Cold Pulse hated these people so much. They were uptight and stupid. "You scared the living crap out of me, that's why." I answered. "And if you don't belive me, then don't. Just let me go. I didn't hurt anyone." I mumbled. Why was I being such a softy? The way my life had been before tought me to never be like this, and here I was, begging to be let free.

[Summer]

I smiled as she answered back. She had been telling the truth, but I had to have tested it. And now I had, and knew she wasn't lying. She was telling the truth, and I really had no reason to keep her here with me in the alleyway there was no point to it, but I doubted that she knew the way back to wherever it was she was going. After all, I had chased her into a cornered alleyway. She didn't know these parts.

I looked at her, my eyes traveled all over her face, and then my eyes locked with hers. "Sorry I scared you." In a way i really was sorry, but I was trying not to let her see how bad, I actually did feel. I didn't need her to think I was weak. I didn't need anyone to think that I was weak.

With my eyes still locked with hers I spoke, "You need me to walk you back?" My voice was now soft, and kind. "I'm guessing you still have no clue where you are..." I trailed off. I didn't mean to sound rude or snobby, if I had, hopefully she knew that.

[ooc] Ok, so I was thinking that when they are walking around, that they can get a little more friendly, and then somehow, he ends up taking her back to head quarters...?

[Matthias James Reilly]

I tried avoiding his gaze. I just wanted to get back to Wraith and the others before they sent out a search party. They probably wouldn't do that, but I just wanted to be away from here. Away from the guy who looked like Griffin, yet held no resemblence to him.

Our eyes met. "Um, maybe just till I know where I am." I said. I swallowed hard, then took a cautious step forward, afraid the dog would run at me again. I stopped, then waited for him to lead the way. "I don't think I know where I am." I answered.

ooc// okay...I just need something to keep this going lol

[Summer]

I looked at her and after she spoke, I spoke back, "Sounds good, cuz you don't wanna get lost around here..." I trailed off. My voice was completely calm now. I had over reacted earlier. I was just on guard so much lately that I hadn't really thought before I took actions, and that was my bad...

I looked over at Butch while she took a small step forward, and I told him to stay back, with a hand movement. He did as he was told, but I could still hear a small growling in the back of his throat. "Shut up, Butch!" Spoke in his direction.

The growling instantly stopped, but you could tell by looking at him that he was still on guard and didn't like any part of this situation. I honestly, didn't blame him. "Come on this way." I said, and without another glance at the girl, I started walking out of the alleyway, not caring if she was following or not, with Butch right by my side.