Re: Never Alone. (Shiori)

[Guest]

Leah took a moment before she said; “Sorry I snapped,” and she went back on her side, staring at him for a moment. Leah didn’t know what she could say, and instead she commented, “You haven’t slept well, have you?” Leah stared at him as he stared at the ceiling, hoping he was feeling okay. He didn’t look like he was feeling the best. Either that, or he was thinking deeply.

[Spritz]

Eric turned his bloodshot eyes back onto Leah, and gave her a weary smile. Shaking his head, he gestured to his face. "I havn't slept at all. Can you tell?" He had dark circles under his eyes, and he lie back on the pillow, throwing his hands behind his head. His mind had finally started to calm down, before he turned once more. "You ok?" He guessed that she had had a nightmare, that was the usual reaction.

[Guest]

Leah chuckled slightly, “Yeah, I can tell. You don’t look all that bad to me, however.” Leah commented, smiling. Leah shook her head at his comment, and sighed, remembering the last tidbits of the dream, “I guess so. It’s just… a bad dream. Haven’t had one in a while. No need to worry, though.” Leah turned and smiled weakly at him.

[Spritz]

Eric frowned at her comment. He, among all guys wasn't exactly sure how to desipher the ways girls talked sometimes. He also wasn't sure if it was a good thing, or a bad thing. Shaking his head, he set his jaw and gazed into her eyes. His own were dark and unreadable, his face taught. He nodded in sympathy as she stated she had had a nightmare, and shrugged. "I get those alot. You tend to ignore them after a while." Raising a hand, he rubbed his temples slightly as if he had a headache.

[Guest]

Leah smiled weakly, “Eh. I feel bad that you go through that. It’s not.” Leah touched his shoulder gently, “I’m sorry.” Sighing, she commented, “You should get some rest though. Morning will be here sooner than you know it, and I’m going to have to go out and get a job.” Leah yawned slightly and curled back up underneath the sleeping back. “Goodnight…”

[Spritz]

Eric weakly shook his head, running a hand through his thick black hair. Closing his eyes, he felt his heart pang longingly as Leah's voice filled his ears once again, and pursed his lips slightly. Turning on his side so he was facing her, he leaned his head on his elbow, gazing into her eyes. Blinking once, he couldn't look away, his own eyes expressionless.

[Guest]

Leah was vaguely aware of his eyes on her, but sleep claimed her faster than her mouth did. She was about to say something, but it only came out as a faint murmur of the three-word-phrase that they’d used to tell each other plenty of times before. And even though her mouth had spoken, her mind had thought, her eyes fluttered closed completely, and her mind drifted into a peaceful slumber, hoping Eric would allow sleep to capture him, as well.

[Spritz]

Eric closed his eyes in exasperation. Leah was already sleepy, her wide blue eyes drifting shut even as she spoke. Her words were mumbled and she seemed to have a hard time getting them past her lips. Eric didn't catch what she said, and rolled his eyes, before setting his jaw tightly and turning onto his side, so his back was facing her. Punching his pillow harshly, he slammed his head down onto it and glared at the wall.

[Guest]

[ skipping to morning, hope yew don’t mind ^^ ]

Leah was awoken by the faint noises of people shuffling around and talking, especially Mark. Leah groaned slightly and rolled onto her back, pushing herself upright and looking around. When Mark waved good-morning to her, she waved back halfheartedly, frowning momentarily. She didn’t want to find a job today, but she knew she had to. Leah rubbed the small of her back gingerly. Sleeping on the floor, even with a slightly padded sleeping bag, hadn’t done wonders for her back. Leah got to her feet and rolled up her sleeping bag, tossing it into the corner with the other sleeping bags, and taking her pillow to the piles of its kind, and grabbed some fresh clothes from her backpack, walking to the ladies’ room to change into fresh clothes.

[Spritz]

When Eric woke up, he was alone. Leah's stuff was already put away, and Eric propped him up on his elbow, rubbing his eyes. His lips were dry and cracked and he winced. Pushing himself up, he caught a glimpse of Leah disapearing into the bathroom, and a smile appeared on his features. Shrugging slightly, he bent down and rolled up the bag, securing the velcro together and quickly throwing it to the side.

[Guest]

[ you are famous! you got us our 1,000 post!!!!!!! ]

Leah quickly went into one of the stalls, smiling at an older woman who was brushing her teeth in the sink. She quickly changed out of her old clothes, donning the new ones, smiling at the elderly woman again, and making her way back to Eric, who was now awake. Leah smiled and waved then stared at him with discontent, “You look awful,” She commented, though her eyes were full of concern. “You’re going to stay here today and rest. You need it more than me. I’m going to go looking for a job. Chat with Mark, go out to lunch, do something that doesn’t take much effort. You need the rest.” Leah hugged him gently before grabbing her backpack and shouldering it, “Stay here.” She shot him the infamous ‘evil-eye,’ hoping he’d agree to stay and rest. She would be fine. It’s not like Matthew followed them here. He’d fallen asleep!

[Spritz]

After rifling through his backpack for a few minutes and picking up the rest of their things, Eric heard a familiar voice, but didn't bother to raise his head. His dark hair fell down into his eyes, and he continued to soft through the things he had taken. Slipping his cell phone out of the bag, he dropped it into his pocket and raised his dark eyes. Seeing the familar form of Leah, he blinked once and pushed himself off of the floor.
At Leah's words, Eric rolled his eyes. "I'm not stayi-" Eric was quickly cut off by Leah, and he pursed his lips together as she continued to speak. He wouldn't let her out of his sight, not when she was on the streets, and alone. This was a rather large city, and creepy and perv's were pretty normal.
"No."

[Guest]

Leah had turned to walk to the door, when Eric said no. She sighed heavily, and turned around again, looking at Eric. She searched his eyes for a moment, and, unfortunately, he didn’t look like he was going to back down anytime soon. Leah sighed again, “Eric, I’m not going to get hurt. I’m going to get a job in broad daylight. Nothing weird is going to happen.” Leah turned to the door, then said over her shoulder, “I’m also going to buy a new cell today, so I’ll text you when I get it, and when I get the job.” Leah smiled happily and opened the door of the church, walking outside. She wasn’t about to stop and let him follow her. He needed rest, and Leah was stubborn.

[Spritz]

Eric was now annoyed, and pushed himself upright. Leah had just finished speaking and was moving towards the door, and he jogged to catch up with her. She had just exited the church building when Eric reached her, pushing the door open and catching her wrist in his fingers. He pulled her around, moving so he was facing her and narrowed his dark eyes, obviously stubborn and not about to let her do anything stupid.
Giving a harsh shake of his head, his dark hair fell into his eyes. He didn't care to brush it away, and raised his head slightly, taller than her. Still holding her wrist, he parted his lips to speak.
"Stay on the sidewalk. If you dare go into somewhere nasty to get a job, you're never going to hear the end of it, and that's coming from me. Get the cell phone and text me wherever you stop so I know where to find you if I have to, ok?"

[Guest]

Leah clenched her teeth when Eric grabbed her wrist and turned her around. He was being almost as stubborn as she was. When he told her not to go anywhere “nasty” to get a job, her jaw dropped. “Eric! I would die before I went anywhere near those places.” Leah shivered involuntarily and took her wrist from him, “And I will, you don’t need to worry. I can take care of myself.” Leah smiled and patted his cheek gently before moving down the sidewalk. She didn’t understand what made him so paranoid. Sighing she looked around. She’d find a nice restaurant to work at. Hopefully she could find shift work, so she could have some free time to make money elsewhere—waitresses didn’t make a ton of money. Frowning, Leah took one last glance towards Eric before turning a corner, getting herself devoured by the large crowds that were already accumulating.

[Spritz]

Eric clenched his jaw harshly, and narrowed his eyes when Leah snapped at him slightly. "I dont always know that, Leah." Shaking his head, he turned his gaze away from her and slightly past her head, standing tall and rigid. His muscles were tense, dark circles under his eyes, showing his lack of sleep and harsh exuastion.
Leah shivered slightly and pulled her wrist away from him, Eric's hand falling limply to his side. He glanced up as he felt Leah pat his cheek, and rubbed his forhead with the back of his hand, about to speak when she turned away from him. He suddenly felt large, heavy hands on his shoulders and almost elbowed the culperit, but found that it was Mark, who started to guide him back inside the church.

[Guest]

Leah frowned as she looked around, at the many restaurants around, none of which were saying that they had no jobs available. The many clubs and bars, however, were looking to hire. Leah shook her head. Again, she really would die before she so much as stepped foot into one of those. Sighing, Leah wondered what other jobs were available. Grimacing, she looked into the small shops and stores, none of whom had jobs open. It appeared there were so many people here that jobs were scarce. Though not too much longer after, Leah’s eyes landed on a cozy-look coffee shop on the corner of a street with a “Jobs Available” sign on the door. Picking up her pace, she opened the door, her eye catching a man with dark-chocolate brown hair, that looked remarkably like Matthew. She did a double-take before shaking her head. He wasn’t here; it was impossible! Leah frowned and walked up to the counter and asked about the new job, and was handed an application.

[Spritz]

Eric sighed, holding his head in his hands. He was hunched over, slouching on one of the ever present metal fold up chairs that had been stacked in the corner. Mark sat in front of him, looking at him intently. His deep chocolate eyes were weary and concerned, his face taught. "Eric, you cant do that." Mark finally spoke, his voice deep and low. His hands were resting on his knee's, and he drew them together. He clasped them together, folding his hands on his lap and leaning back in the chair, his eyes trained on Eric like a hawk on prey. Eric shook his head, his hair falling limply into his eyes.
Giving a muffled sigh, Mark leaned forward and grasped Eric's wrist in his fingers. Eric automaticly stiffened, and tried to wrench his hand away, but Mark's grip was tight. He turned his wrist so the underside was facing upwards, exposing the thin white scars that striped across his wrist.

[Guest]

Leah smiled at the friendly woman who gave her an application form, and Leah looked it over. It only took her fifteen minutes for her to fill it out and hand it back. The woman nodded, skimmed it over, then went into an office, telling Leah to “please wait here patiently.” Leah sighed and leaned against the wall, eyes scanning the people outside, all of them with expressionless faces, like puppets to their invisible puppeteer. Leah waited only ten minutes for the woman to come back and say, “The manager will read through it and have a decision by tomorrow. So come back tomorrow at ten.” Leah nodded and left the restaurant, heading to the nearest verizon store.

[Spritz]

Eric winced as Mark looked at the scars, then back at his face. Mark's eyes were hard and he looked rather angry, before he dropped Eric's hand and shook his head. His jaw was set harshly in place, his eyes glittering with anger and a slight resentment. Eric immedietly felt terrible for ever letting him see the scars, but it wasn't like he had had a choice. Mark was strong, despite his looks and Eric couldn't get his wrist away.
"What is this Eric!?"
Mark glared at him angrily, and Eric swallowed once. "Why hurt yourself this way!? What happened to you!" He was hissing out the words, making sure the others in the room couldn't hear him.
"I didn't want to talk to you when Leah was around, but really Eric. What happened to the guy I knew before?"

[Guest]

Leah walked into the Verizon store. She only took a few minutes to browse the phones—she wasn’t picky about such things. She eventually settled on an LG Lotus, the, surprisingly, cheapest phone that had good quality. She quickly paid for it, went through the rather annoying process of getting a new number and signing some papers, before she had the phone activated, and she immediately texted Eric, like she promised she would.
Hey. At a Verizon store. I’m on my way back to the church. Won’t know if I get a job until tomorrow at ten. See you in a few, Leah.
Leah sighed and made her way out of the Verizon store, and just as her hand had left the door, a firm grip clamped harshly around her wrist, jerked her back, and put another coarse hand over her mouth, dragging her, kicking and scratching, out of sight of other people.

[Spritz]

(I gotta go soon)

[Guest]

[ yeah, all right… will you be back later … ? ]

[Spritz]

"You dont understand Mark!"
Eric wrenched his hand away from Mark, and pushed himself up off of the metal chair. His sudden outburst caused several heads to turn, eyes looking at the pair with intrest. He set his jaw tightly in place, before turning back to Mark. The man was sitting in the chair, staring at Eric intently, in a creepy sort of fashion, unblinking. He demanded respect, he did. No matter who it was who talked to him like that, it was unacceptable.
"Sorry..."
Eric mumbled a half hearted apology, before turning away and snagging his back pack off of the ground. Heaving it over his shoulder, he shook his head. His nerves were on edge and he was jumpy and tense. When his phone went off, he nearly hurled it across the room. Instead, he opened it with shaking fingers and read the text, breathing a sigh of relief.
So everything went ok?

[Guest]

Leah felt the phone buzz in her hand, and heart began racing as Matthew’s grip tightened on her, tossing her around in his arms to get a good grip on her phone, snatching it from her fingers, nearly snapping her finger in the process. His eyes scanned over the text, and Leah was almost in a position to read it, when Matthew moved her again, forcing the phone back into her hands.
“Tell him you won’t be back at the church tonight,” Matthew sneered, “And don’t you dare put anything else, I’ll be right here to read what you type. Plus,” he added with extra malice, “I’m taking your phone after this.”
Leah nodded, shaking, as she typed the words, her trembling fingers missing the right keys a few times, so it took her longer than Matthew would’ve liked.
Eric, change of plans. I’m not going to be able to come back to the church tonight. Sorry. See you whenever I get the chance, Leah.
As soon as it sent, Matthew snatched the cell away from her once more and shoved it into his pocket, chuckling deeply and twisting one of her arms behind her back, going through the maze of alleyways until they came upon a ramshackle house that was, literally, in the middle of nowhere; lost in the maze of alleyway turns.

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