[User]
Annika squirmed in her restraints trying to relieve the stress on her large breasts, both were bruised from the rough hands of the guards. She sat in darkness though it wasn't hard to figure out where she was. They'd left her in this trussed up position for the last couple hours and it had prevented her from getting any sleep. Her breathing also restricted by the large amounts of tape that they had wrapped around her head.

Her long blonde hair hung loosely in a disheveled ponytail. Her once pristine uniform wrinkled and ripped. She had always been prideful of her beauty, she stood at 5'7 with long shapely legs, a toned body, and large perky breasts. Though now she felt like it was a curse, with every passing male guard feeling up her body any chance they had.

She turned her head at the sound of someone approaching, when they spoke she felt the fear rising up from within her, a sith. She only heard stories of the brutalities, but she knew. She didn't want to see them first hand. But she wasn't going to just give up. She didn't get to where she was by just laying down when someone higher came knocking. Plus she had made an honest mistake, getting this treatment felt beneath her. Se mumbled angrily as best she could at the man.

[Assistant]
Malavin glared down at her for a long moment. Part of him just wanted to kill her here and now to claim revenge for Lee. That would be far too easy though. She needed to suffer for what she had done to the empire and his family. He would make her long for death, make her lose the pride and defiance that she clung to.

"There are two possible sentences on the board." he said, his voice almost casual. "You can die, though your death would not be quick. The machine can often take weeks to kill someone, and they will struggle to end their own lives by the end of it. If you are willing to follow my instructions, however, I can offer you an alternative." She wouldn't learn until it was too late that the alternate would be as unpleasant as he could make it.

[User] Annika glared as hard as she could at where the man's voice was coming from. She knew of the machine, that the man spoke of and there wouldn't be any escape, she had little choice in the matter. Though she didn't like the sound of where this was going. "What's the alternative?" She managed to mumble past her gag. She felt her anger rise every minute, she hated being talked down to. It didn't matter who it was. I had been part of why she wanted to become a successful commander. There wouldn't be so many people who talked down to her. There had been those who she had stepped on to get to the top, and she knew she wasn't well liked a all by her crew, but they feared her. That had been enough for her. She knew she could find a way out of this if she had the chance to, it was her only option if she wanted to make it of alive.

[Assistant] Malavin glared at her as she tried to ask him what the other opportunity was through the gag. He instinctively called upon the force to create iron grip of pressure around her neck, choking her. "If I wanted you to speak, I would have taken the tape off of your mouth. You don't get to speak to me." The idea that this woman who had caused so much devastation to the empire and to him personally would try to talk to him was disgusting. "You will remain spoken to unless asked a question that requires you to speak." He didn't release his telekinetic grip on her neck as he said, "Now, nod your head if you want to take the chance at life that I am offering."

[User] Annika's first instinct had been to pry the choking hands from her neck, but being tied up, and the choking force immaterial she could do nothing against the constricting feeling around her neck. Causing her to gag and struggle trying to escape. She started to panic, knowing that she could die here. The tight feeling around her neck unrelenting. She barely noticed the other speaking, but she quickly nodded her head when he mentioned a chance at living.

[Assistant]
Malavin slowly let the pressure release from her neck. This little experience had shown that she was much too willful for his taste, but he had a good idea how to break her of that. The first step would be to take her out of the prisoner holding area and move her to his own little torture chamber on the other end of the ship.

Malavin removed the cuffs from her wrists and ankles, but did nothing to remove the hood or gag. He trusted that she was smart enough not to try to speak again or remove the hood after his little demonstration. "Good. Now, I want you to remove your uniform. You can keep the bra and panties on, but nothing else."

[User]
Annika felt the pressure releasing from her neck and she breathed in as best she could through her nose. She tried to control her reaching, she had no intention of showing weakness to this man. She felt her restraints removed and she rubbed at her wrists, she stood shakily, her body stiff from being stuck in the same position for hours. She wanted desperately to take off the hood and gag, but if the man hadn't she knew it was for a reason. Although it made her only want to remove it more in defiance of him.

When she was told to remove her uniform she gasped. Torture was something she expected, but she didn't like where this was doing. She froze, at a loss of what to do. On the one hand she didn't want to die, and she felt that she was kept alive only because the man wanted her to be. On the other she wasn't going to willing walk around practically naked.

She uttered a sound of distress, she desperately wanted to bolt and run. Though she knew that we wouldn't have made it far. So she slowly removed her clothing, as slowly as she could manage. First came her jacket. Then her shirt, her breasts practically on display. Her toned abs flexed at the sudden chill of the ship's air. She bent and removed her boots, and hesitated over revealing her thong, and legs to the man.

[Assistant]
Malavin ground his teeth as she hesitated to remove her boots and pants the way that he had ordered. This woman had failed the empire, failed him, and she thought she still had enough leverage to decide which orders she was going to obey and which ones she would resist? She clearly didn't understand what kind of dire straits she was in, but Malavin would teach her.

His fist slammed into her stomach hard enough to knock the wind out of her. Another hit caught her squarely in the back, hard enough to knock her onto her hands and knees. "Remove the rest of your clothing," he growled. His rage was enough to let his hands start to crackle with electricity, but he didn't unleash that power yet. "Before I lose my patience."

[User]
Annika felt the blow to her stomach, caught her off guard. Her breath stuck in her throat. She doubled over and then another blow on her back sent her sprawling to the ground barely managing to catch her her other knees. Getting his massage she worked her way up from her knees and shakily removed the rest of her clothing. Her boots, and pants falling the the ground quickly to reveal her thong, which was removed quickly. Her bra fell next.

She stood naked in front of the man, though she covered her D-cup breasts with one arm, and her shaved pussy with her other. She shivered in the cold air, her nipples erect. The cold metal floor prickling the bottoms of her petite feet. She looked more vulnerable then ever, even when she had been restrained. Her head still covered, and gagged. Shivering naked in front of a man she'd never seen.

[Assistant]
Malavin had been content to let her keep her bra and panties on while they made his way to the room that would be her cell, but her hesitation had infuriated him more than he would have guessed.

Once she was upright again, he took the handcuffs from before and cuffed her wrists behind her back. he left the ankle restraints where they were on the bed. Malavin took her by the arm and started leading her down the hall towards the room that would be her cell. As they walked, she would hear the sounds of crewmembers snickering at the sight of the former commander naked, gagged, and hooded. Malavin took a small degree of pleasure from the humiliation that would come with what was happening.

[User]
Annika felt the man cuff her hands again behind her back, the position thirsting her chest forward. She felt the man start leading her out of father room and back into the ship. She couldn't see where she was being taken, but she had an idea or two where their destination was. She could hear the sounds of the crewmen as they walked. Some even so bold as to smack her already bruised breasts as they walked, or smack her ass as they passed. She could feel the heat in her cheeks burn from the unwanted attention.

She didn't dare struggle, she'd once seen first hand what the lightning the sith could produce do to a person and that was something she wanted to avoid. She could feel tears forming, from the humiliation of being lead around on her own ship naked and bound. Being man handled by any lowly crewman. She nearly cried out several times from rough hands on her breats but she managed to keep quiet. She didn't want to anger him too much. She needed to wait until he was comfortable before she could make her escape.

[Assistant]
The room Malavin picked out for her, the vault, was a single cell that his master had picked out to try to break a jedi and dominate them into something more easily controlled. For the moment, there were no jedi prisoners, and Malavin would only need the room for a day or two before he suspected his new slave would be well trained enough for him to start using her around the ship.

Once they entered the vault, he removed her cuffs, but only to cuff her wrists from a pair of cuffs that hung from a chain in the ceiling. The chain was made for a taller male, so it would extend her arms to the point that she would have to stand on her toes to keep her balance. Once she was secure, he took her by the chin and forced her to look up at him, even though she still wore the hood. "I am going to make it my mission in life to break you, slut. In time, you will be so frightened of me that you will do whatever I say to win my favor."

[User] Annika felt the cuffs come off, but only to have them replaced by another pair, though these seemed to be hanging from the Ceiling. She ad to stretch to prevent her arms from being stretched out too much, and to keep her balance. She couldn't see anything from under her hood, but she could only imagine what was out there, and that thought of they known scared her more then anything. She scoffed at what the man said. Unable to spit st him, or curse the man, she settled on scoffing at the man's statement.

[Assistant] As she gave her muffled protest, Malavin took hold of one of her nipples and gave it a hard little pinch. "I'm going to let you spend the next day or so learning a little about yourself. We'll talk after that." He let go of her nipple and left the room. As he walked out, he turned up the temperature to a level she would find more than a little uncomfortable. Between that and the way her arms were stretched out, he suspected that would take a little of the fight out of her. He wouldn't return to check on her until the next morning.

[User] Annika did her best to hold back a scream as her nipple was suddenly pinched. Her body tensed at the sudden and sharp pain. Though she quickly relaxed after she felt the other let go of her nipple. She hears, and felt the man leave her side, hearing the door open and close she herself relax a little. She soon started to sweat though, in comparison to the cold air, it felt like she'd entered a desert. The metal under her feet soon started to get hot as well, obviously part of the design of the room. She fidgeted trying to relieve the heat off her bare feet. It felt like she was on Tatooine. Before long her mouth started to feel dry from the heat, and she glistened with sweat. Her arms had started to hurt as well, along with her shoulders. Her head however, covered in a black hood retained the heat, suffered much more then the rest of her naked form.

[Assistant] The next morning, Malavin returned to check on his captive. He returned the room to its normal temperature before stepping in. "Poor little slut. It looks like you had a long night. I'll tell you what, I'm going to give you a chance to avoid a bit more of this unpleasantness. If you can call me your master and refer to yourself as my little whore, I'll give you some time to catch your breath. If not, well, it gets harder." He reached under the hood and peeled the tape away, but left the hood in place. She didn't need to see for now.

[User]
Annika hadn't slept all night, and she felt dehydrated, weak, and sore when she felt the room cooling. Her feet red from dancing on the hot floor all night. The room stank with her sweat. She felt the man reach under the hood and remove the tape. She licked her dry lips, and her first thought was for water. Though the pain in her arms and wrists weren't far behind.

"No..." She managed to mutter weakly, although it was evident in her tone of voice that she was losing her will to fight. Annika however wasn't one to give up so easily. Nor did she want to give the man the satisfaction of hearing her say those words.

[Assistant] "For a moment, I was worried that you weren't going to give me an excuse to keep doing this." Malavin said with a cruel smile. "That would have been quite disappointing." He walked over to the table full of instruments on the table and looked everything over. "Of course, that leaves me with the question of what to go to next. Maybe I'll start with discomfort and work my way up to pain." He selected a butt plug and moved behind her. Malavin put an arm on he waist and slowly pushed the plug into position. It was a tight fight, which made it all the more pleasant for him.

[User]
Annika remained quiet, unwilling to give him any satisfaction from her pain. She did however feel fearful of not being able to see what he intended to do to her. Though she soon found out as a lukewarm metal poked her asshole, she clenched as best she could to keep the intruder out, but to no avail. She bit her lip to hold in a scream as the plug was pushed deep into her, and without lubricant. She squirmed in her restraints trying to dislodge the painful plug from her ass.

"I'll never submit to you." She spoke, though it was obvious she was a little more then uncomfortable.

[Assistant] "I think you will." Malavin replied coolly. "After all, we are just getting started." He picked up a whip from the supply table, moved behind her, and took a few practice swings at the air. Each swing made the whip crack in the air. Finally, he cracked it against her bare back, then pulled back for another shot.

[User]
Annika listened intently as the man moved away again to grab something. She started to breathe faster as her fear started to take over her mind. She wondered what instrument the man would grab next, and each one that she thought of only made her fear more intense. She then heard it. The crack of a whip, though she isn't feel it make contact yet. She jumped and flinched every time it cracked. She wasn't expecting it when the whip finally made contact.

She screamed out loudly from the pain, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. It felt like a burning strip across her back. Though she remained quiet biting her lip to try and keep herself from screaming again.. She refused to give this man what she wanted. She reminded herself that all she had to do was keep fighting, to keep herself alive. She would beat this man somehow.

[Assistant] "My poor little slut." Malavin teased before he brought the whip down once more. He was still remarkably relieved that she continued to resist, as he didn't want to be left with any excuse not to hurt her. He brought the whip down twice more, each on a different part of her back. Each hit was a little bit harder and more precise. "Is it really worth all of this pain just so that you don't have to say what I want you to say?" he asked curiously. "Wouldn't the smarter play be to just behave yourself?"

[User]
Annika bit her lip hard to keep herself from screaming as three more lashes landed on her back, the last one hard enough to draw blood. Her entire body shook with each blow. She hung limply from her restraints her, though still trying desperately to remain on her feet, lest she hurt her arms even more. She didn't respond to the man, she wouldn't submit to him. Perhaps it was easier, but she would not be swayed by him.

She cried as quietly as she could, the pain in her arms unbearable, along with the large plug in her anus, every time she moved, it hurt her immensely, and she wished she could dislodge it somehow, but wide at the base, she had no hope to dislodge it by her own actions. Nor would she consider asking the man for help either. She tried to control her breathing, and her fear. Her breasts rose and fell in a slower rhythm, though they quiver in fear, along with the rest of her body. She could not see what the man was doing to her, or what he planned to do, and that was the worst feeling for her, she hated being in the dark. It was one of her most closely guarded fears.

[Assistant]
Despite the visible damage that the whip was doing, Malavin wasn't going to give her a moment to recover. He brought the whip down twice more, one strike hitting her back, and just to shake things up, one hit her leg.

Perhaps knowing her fate would change her outlook on things. "I'm sure you feel strong and defiant now, but I'm equally sure that you've felt that strength falter a bit. Imagine how much strength you will lose in a day, two days, or a week. Given enough time, you'll do anything to win my favor. You'll be a pet, something less than human who exists to amuse me."

[User]
Annika cried out from the sudden, and unexpected pain, gripping the restraints. It felt like fire touching her skin every time he brought the whip down. She listened as the man spoke of how hopeless her situation was. she closed her eyes, trying to ignore the feeling of terror that had slowly been rising up in her. The hood made her feel like she was lost a vast darkness, unable to even see her own body. It was an unpleasant experience for her, and perhaps much more effective then the whipping. The vast emptiness, the same whether her eyes were opened or closed is what scared her the most for some reason. It was a very carnal response the fear she felt for being hooded.

"You'll never break me." She yelled her voice laced with venom, and strength she could. While there was an ample hatred to fuel the anger, and venom in her voice, her strength was lacking in comparison.

[Assistant] Malavin decided he had heard enough of her voice. He took an adhesive strip from the table, pulled the tab off it, and moved it under the hood to press it to her lips. He let the strip stay on long enough to do its job before he removed it. The tape applied a layer of glue that would completely seal her lips shut. It would dissolve in a few hours, but she didn't need to know that. "Much better. I don't need a talking pet."


[User]
The aching hole in Jaxien's chest seemed to grow the longer Styx was awake, not looking at him, not acknowledging him. He knew he was doing exactly the same, and some part of him was keeping it that way. He simply continued to cook the meat, taking his share and curling up in the corner to eat. He did so in silence, feeling amazingly vulnerable, and so hardened his expression, remaining silent if he was spoken to. Once he was finished, he started packing up his things, stuffing the meat into the bottom of his bag.

He waited till Styx was finished before heading outside. There was no sense delaying things, it would just make it all harder. As it was he wondered if he was even going to make it to the settlement before just giving in and blowing his brains out. Already he was tempted to point Styx in that direction, give him everything he had but a gun and a single bullet. But hell if he wasn't going to get one last high. Silently, he started walking, setting a pace slightly slower than normal so that his lungs would cope.

[Assistant] Styx didn't bother eating; he wasn't hungry at all. He seemed to have lost his appetite at some point. He gathered up his things as well, thinking of so many things to say but never said a single one. A part of him was waiting for Jaxien to say something first, say anything. He didn't care if he acted like nothing happened the night before and just struck up a conversation. But this silence... it was paralyzing. Once he had all his things he followed behind the other, his hands in his pockets. He had so many things to say like 'you're an asshole' or 'can't you even apologize?' But most of all, he wanted to ask if he was alright... he finally glanced over at Jaxien for the first time, drumming his fingers against his thigh from in his pockets. "Do you hate everyone? Or is it just me?" He asked, bringing his eyes forward again. He didn't want to start off that way but he just blurted it out. He felt genuinely hated by the other and he couldn't understand why. He'd done nothing wrong, so why was he being treated like shit? If Jaxien just hated the world he'd at least feel better that he wasn't someone who was easy to hate.

[User] Jaxien grimaced as the man spoke, and replied in a sharp, curt tone. "Yes, I hate everyone." It was the truth, too. There'd never been anyone he hadn't held some distaste for. Probably because everyone he'd ever met treated him like shit, even people that were nice to begin with would turn bad with that sort of treatment. If anything, Styx was the one person he could have seen himself traveling with, if things had been different. That intimacy had effected him, and it scared him a little. Added onto his problems, however, it was all just too much. He forced his thoughts away and picked up his pace a little. He didn't care if it would have him in a mess by the time they got there, not anymore. He just wanted this to be over.

[Assistant] Styx wasn't sure what he'd been expecting. And hearing that he hated everyone didn't make him feel any better... at all. If he hated everyone that meant he did really hate Styx. He wanted the other to say something that excluded him from that, but it didn't happen. He stopped walking for a second, too stunned to move. He licked his lips and looked down at the sand, taking a deep breath. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, moving quickly to catch up with the other again, though he stayed a few paces behind him. He walked for a while silently, not paying attention to anything around him. He was too much in thought to care about anything else. After a long silence he finally spoke. "The blood... I saw it," he said, looking over at Jaxien. He kept a little ways behind him just in case; he wasn't sure he could face him completely. "Will you be okay...?" He asked, his voice cracking slightly. "I know you don't like me... that much is obvious. But... I don't want you to die," he said, clearing his throat.

[User] Jaxien flinched as the other spoke, almost stopping in his tracks, but instead he continued to walk, moving a little faster. He gave another grimace, "no, I won't be OK." The final statement only confirmed his suspicions, Styx would have to go. "Why the fuck do you care? I've been nothing but an ass to you this whole time." He gave a huff, that quickly turned into a few dry, painful coughs. "After we get back you won't ever have to see me again. So just leave it at that." There was a hint of warning in his tone, but at the same time, a little longing escaped. He didn't want to die alone.

[Assistant]
Styx ran a hand through his hair, swallowing thickly. He feared that was what the other was going to say. He glanced off to the side, not sure what to say. He wanted to help Jaxien... sure, life in this piece of shit wasteland wasn't much of anything but it was better than being dead, right? He looked over at the other when he spoke, flinching back slightly. He knew the other was right, all he had been was an ass. But Jaxien was the last thing Styx had. He knew he couldn't connect with anyone like he did with Jaxien. Sure, they didn't get along, but Jaxien had saved him. Not only his life, but his sanity. Styx had been on the brink of self destruction. If he hadn't been found soon he would have probably gone insane and cut his face off with his knife or something. Jaxien had saved much more than his life; he'd saved Styx as a human being.

"You're all I've got," he mumbled, shaking his head a little, "and I can't just go make friends at this settlement. I mean, we're obviously not friends... I'm pretty sure you'd shoot me right now if you wanted to. You saved me from myself, and none of those other people can do that. If I have to watch another person die tragically I'd probably end my own life." He played with his fingers nervously, licking his dry lips. "We don't have to see each other ever again. You're probably sick of me. But I just don't want you to die. I think that... if you died, I'd die."

[User] Jaxien wouldn't, couldn't let himself think about it, let himself care. The fact of the matter was, he was dying either way. His way just meant less pain. He gave a soft grunt, gritting his teeth for a few moments before speaking. "The people at the settlement are nice, you'll get used to them eventually." He found, suddenly, that he wouldn't be able to do it there, for some reason he couldn't have Styx know. He refused to accept that he cared about Styx, forcing a belief that it was just his distaste of waste. He'd saved him, so having him kill himself, especially if it was over Jaxien. He wasn't worth that. He decided that coming back to the den would be best, suiting, even. He kept his eyes forward as he walked, forcing any emotion from his eyes.

[Assistant] Styx had this gut feeling that Jaxien was going to do something bad... he wasn't sure what, but he didn't want to let the other out of his sight. What if he tried to kill himself? Just the thought made him feel weak and alone. He walked a little faster so he was closer to the other, looking up at him. "Please don't die," he said softly, "or at least bring me with you." He wasn't sure nice people was what he needed right now. He needed someone like Jaxien who could tell it like it was and not care. He didn't need some kind soul to sugar cost everything. Jaxien could keep him grounded. He stopped suddenly and grabbed Jaxien's sleeve, looking around. "Wait," he mumbled, holding onto his sleeve tightly. He could hear growling somewhere out in the desert. He took a wary step closer to Jaxien, letting to of his sleeve so he could hold onto his arm gently. "Do you hear that?" he sure hoped he did... if he didn't he'd know he was going crazy.

[User]
Jaxien was about to answer when he heard the noise as well. He'd been so preoccupied that he'd forgotten to pay attention to their surroundings. He went completely still, ears listening. If something was growling, it likely meant it was already close enough to attack. And sure enough, with enough attention paid, he could see the telltale signs of a pack of mutts closing in.

Slowly, so as not to provoke the attack, he pulled two guns from their holsters. He handed one to Styx wordlessly, then began scanning the dogs as they advanced. The best chance was for them to figure out which one was the Alpha. If that one fell, the others would, at least, be confused enough to give them a better fighting chance. Unfortunately, the only way to tell would be to listen for the final growl that would announce their final charge.

[Assistant] Styx felt the cold metal of the gun against his hand and carefully wrapped his fingers around it, making no sudden movements so they wouldn't be attacked blindly. He ran his fingers along the barrel to make sure the safety was off, looking around slowly. He was not about to die here. He locked his lips nervously, knowing ever shot count. Not only because supplies were scarce, but also because he was sure Jaxien would hang him if he wasted any bullets. He was still until he heard a shifting behind him. He quickly whipped around and shot at the black mass flying towards him, hearing it whimper and crash to the ground. It rolled through the sand and landed at his feet; well, at least everything but the head. "One down..." he mumbled, waiting for the rest.

[User] Jaxien reacted a moment later, having to shoot down one of his own. The dogs were more on their guard now, the first two obviously just testing their skill. The alpha still refused to show itself, likely noticing Jaxien's intentions. Whatever some people said, these dogs were not stupid. They were starving, however, and so the risk the two men were presenting was not enough to scare them away. A single snarl was enough to alert him, however. It was made obvious by the fact that all of the dogs attacked at once. He turned, aiming and sending a bullet into the dog's head. The other dogs faltered, their leader fallen, and another few shots had the survivors scampering away. Jaxien fell to his knees, one hand clutched to his chest, breathing ragged. It was obvious only sheer force of will allowed him to keep himself from coughing the way he had the night before.

[Assistant] Styx shot at a couple more as well, of course out of survival but also to prove he wasn't useless. He could tell that Jaxien had been very skeptical of him from the start and he really hadn't shown any true usefulness. But now he could prove to the other he could at least do some good. He thought he was doing pretty well, actually. Just two days ago he was dying and now he was ready to fight. Scared, maybe, but he still could fight. Once the last of the dogs ran off he turned to Jaxien, ready to give a smart remark. But as he watched the other fall to his knees he felt sick. He quickly holstered his gun and rushed over to the other, kneeling beside him. Now definitely was not the time for smart remarks. He quickly fished out the canteen from Jaxien's bag and opened it, handing it to the other. "Come on. Drink this," he said, clutching the canteen tightly. He shifted so he was kneeling in front of the other, looking up at him. He reached a gentle hand forward to place it the hand Jaxien used to clutch his chest, gently running his fingertips over the back of his hand. "It'll be okay. We're gonna make it there, I promise."

[User] Jaxien would have noticed the others' skill had he not been kneeling on the ground, clutching at his chest. Everything in his body seemed to be aching all at once. He barely even heard Styx speaking, but he saw the canteen moving towards him, and moved to take it. His hands were shaking so badly that he would have dropped it if Styx hadn't been holding onto it. He took a few sips, and it quieted some of the burn in his throat. As the moment passed, he shifted, trying to stand again. He wobbled precariously, about to fall if nothing stopped him.

[Assistant] Styx squeezed his hand gently, watching the other with worry and fear evident in his eyes. As the other tried to stand up he quickly got up with him, bracing the other's body against his own as he appeared he was going to fall. He wrapped an arm around Jaxien's waist and took his arm, guiding it around his shoulders so he could support the other. He was smaller than Jaxien so the position was a bit awkward but he was holding him up just fine. He grabbed the wrist of the arm over his shoulders gently, turning his head to look up at the other. "Come on. You can do it. I swear on my life I'll get you back to that settlement. I'm not gonna let you die out here," he said, squeezing his wrist in in an affectionate manner.

[User] Jaxien shifted uncomfortably, he'd almost prefer to have fallen than be relying on the other to keep him up, but he didn't push him away. The concern eased some of the ache in his chest. "I...." Talking hurt, and he may have stopped, but it felt a little too important. "I'm not worth this. I raped you. I would've killed you if circumstances were different, wouldn't have thought about it twice." He couldn't fathom why this person would be bothered with him, why he would want him to stay alive. "Most people would consider a bullet to my head being merciful." He gave a small noise as pain flared throughout his chest. He wouldn't blame the man for robbing him blind and leaving him there in the wastes. It would be no less than he deserved.

[Assistant] For the most part, Styx ignored his words. He knew the other was right, to be honest. Most people would have left him there with a smile on his face; even someone who had a heart of gold. And Styx was not someone with a heart of gold. But he couldn't leave Jaxien out here. He just couldn't. "Stop talking," he said firmly, gripping at Jaxien's side tightly to help hold him up better, "you're only making it worse. Come on. We have to get moving." He completely ignored what Jaxien had said, feeling he didn't have to explain himself again. He already told Jaxien that he was the last thing he had left. That he was the only reason he was still sane. He wasn't going to repeat himself. "I already told you that I'm not going to leave you out here. No matter what."

[User]
Jaxien gave a grimace at the command, and as the grip around him was tightened. None of this made any sense to him, and it was growing to be more scary to him than the idea of dying out here alone, slowly and in pain. At least that made some sense. But he also didn't want it. He found himself craving the touch, the closeness.

His mind began to drift as they walked, and his mind went back to that intimate moment they had shared. His chest seemed to react more than his loins, and he came to understand that, before he died, he wanted to have that again. He found himself holding onto the other quite strongly by the time the settlement came into view. The stubborn force of will that had kept him going till then faded for a moment, and he nearly brought both of them to the ground as his knees buckled, but he recovered after a moment.

"I... I need a hit..." The withdrawal was pounding through his system, exacerbating his condition and weakening him considerably. He had no doubt that without some sort of drug in him, he wasn't going to last through the next couple of days, even. He also had no doubt that, without Styx, he'd be lying in that den with half his head blown across the wall.

[Assistant]
Styx had walked in silence, leaving the conversation where it had stood. Jaxien was in no shape to be talking, anyway. He just wanted to get to the damn settlement and make sure Jaxien was okay. He knew he should just leave the other after all he'd done to him. And two days ago, he probably would have. But after what had happened... that sort of... moment they shared, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Regardless of whether he wanted to admit it or not, he knew that moment they shared was intimate. More intimate than any other moment he'd had in his entire life. He couldn't just throw that out the window. And with the way Jaxien was with this... illness or whatever it was, Styx felt like he had to protect him. Both from himself and from whatever was tearing at his lungs.

Styx noticed that over time as they walked, he could feel Jaxien holding onto him tighter. Each time the man's arm would pull him closer he'd glance up at him, but wouldn't stop walking. He figured Jaxien was just having trouble standing and held him tighter for more support. He could see the settlement up ahead and his stomach flipped. He'd never felt such relief in all his life. He stumbled as they both nearly fell, fighting to keep Jaxien up off the ground. Jaxien had managed to catch himself just before they feel to the ground.

Styx turned his head when he heard the other talk, looking up at him. "Huh?" He asked, not sure what he meant. He hoisted the other up a little better and gripped his side tighter, trudging along. It was getting harder to walk now. "Come on, we're almost there. Once we get in I promise I'll get you whatever you want. We just gotta get there," he said, panting a little from half-carrying someone who was bigger than him in the blistering heat. He tightened his grip on Jaxien's wrist and pulled him closer, grunting as the gun in his holster dug into his hip.

[User]
Jaxien made a soft noise, eyes falling closed, focusing instead on listening to the sound of Styx's voice and keeping his feet moving. One after the other, just keep moving. Exhaustion was creeping through his system, and his desire to get high was quickly becoming eclipsed by the need to sleep. Some part of him told him that it wasn't a good idea, however, if he did now, he might not wake up again.

He forced his eyes open, looking around. "Th...they have a doctor..." He'd never thought he'd need it, but when he got to new places, he took great care to scope them out. He lifted a hand, pointing shakily at one of the buildings. It felt heavy, and the edges of his vision were starting to go black. He wondered if he'd even make it inside. "Sh...Show them the hide and the head, try sell the meat... should give you enough to..." He wasn't sure what he expected Styx to do with the money. These people might patch him up for free, after killing the beast. But he still couldn't imagine Styx doing anything other than taking the money and leaving.

[Assistant]
As they walked, Styx murmured soft promises and encouragements to the other, trying to keep them moving. He wasn't going to give up. Not when they were this close. He wasn't about to let Jaxien die, either. He could feel Jaxien getting heavier and heavier on his shoulder. He was losing him rather fast. He wasn't sure he could carry Jaxien by himself if he passed out... but if he had to, he'd go find someone and make them help. Whether they wanted to or not. When Jaxien pointed out the doctor's place he felt relief wash over him. Partly because they had a doctor and partly because Jaxien was willing enough to save himself to point it out. He nodded his head a little and shifted the other, letting out a huff.

"Come on. Stay awake. Please. We're almost there. Just a little longer and then you can rest. I swear," he said, working extra hard to move them faster the last couple of paces. Once he reached the building he nearly collapsed, shifting Jaxien off his shoulder and onto the ground, leaning him up against the building. He wasn't sure if the other was still conscious or not. "We're here. You can rest now," he murmured, smiling down at the other. He knocked on the door frantically but didn't leave Jaxien's side for even a second. He waited impatiently for the doctor, gently rubbing Jaxien's chest to hopefully soothe some of his pain.

[User]
Rest. That seemed like a nice idea. Jaxien found himself propped up against the building, and made a soft noise as his eyes slipped closed once more. He found a gentle smile coming onto his face as he drifted, mind focused on the touch as he finally let himself pass out.

The doctor would come out moments later, looking with concern at Jaxien. With Styx and a couple other people's help, Jaxien was moved inside and placed on a bed. Jaxien had been telling the truth when he'd said these people were nice, kind enough to take him in even though he'd undoubtedly made a nuisance of his crude self a few days ago.

The doctor look him over for a few minutes before turning to face Styx. "I need to take a look at his things." He could recognize the signs of withdrawal, but dosing him with something could be dangerous. There were too many drugs out there to be sure which one was the cause of his problems, and giving him the wrong one would kill him.

[Assistant]
Styx let out a heavy sigh of relief when the doctor had agreed to help. Part of him had been afraid that he wouldn't because of how Jaxien could be. But he didn't have to worry about that now. He helped get Jaxien into the building, making sure they were careful with him. Once they got him inside Styx sat down beside where they'd laid him out, staring down at him nervously. He played with the sleeve of his shirt, feeling like his heart was going to explode. When the doctor finally spoke he whipped his head around, nodding his head quickly.

"Um... okay. We brought back meat and the head of the best that's been terrorizing you. If you want, you can take that. I don't have money to offer... but please take care of him. That's all I have to offer," he said, his gut twisting. What if this man only wanted money? He didn't have any to give. He pulled out the bag that had all of Jaxien's stuff in it, holding it out to the man. "Just... please hurry. I don't know if he'll last much longer. He's been coughing up blood."

[User]
There was a murmur from some of the others in the building as Styx spoke of the beast. It had been the bane of their existence here, and having it dead was obviously a big thing. The doctor took the bag, pulling out the bundle and handing it on to someone, who left with it, obviously intending to show it to someone else. He then searched through the rest of the back, eventually finding what he was after.

He took the small bag of powder and got some water, mixing it together and getting a needle, pulling the mixture into the syringe. He moved over to Jaxien again, looking up at Styx as he spoke again. The news that Jaxien had been coughing up blood was unpleasant, but not particularly surprising. The drug abuse had obviously been going on for years, and was starting to attack his internal organs. The doctor could keep him alive for now, but in these times, the technology to help Jaxien simply didn't exist, he wouldn't last much longer.

He looked troubled as he injected the mix into Jaxien's arm. It wasn't long before the results showed, and Jaxien came awake with a gasp, arching his back a little. He looked around wildly for a few moments before his eyes landed on Styx. He relaxed, giving a small smile, obviously not quite himself. He seemed happy enough, though.

[Assistant]
Styx sat quietly but nervously beside Jaxien, licking his lips nervously. He wished the doctor would just get on with treating him... it wasn't like he was lying about the beast. Right now Jaxien's life should be more important than what was in that bag. When the man left he stared at the door he'd exited through incredulously. Where was he going?! Maybe Styx was overreacting but they didn't have time to dilly dally! Jaxien needed to be treated. Didn't the doctor hear him when he said that he was coughing up blood? That he didn't know how much time they had to help him? Styx wrapped his arms around his stomach, feeling like he was going to throw up. He was really just psyching himself out but he couldn't help it. He just wanted to make sure Jaxien was better so he could stop freaking out... he looked down at Jaxien, letting out a heavy sigh. He wasn't sure if he was relieved that he was knocked out or not. On one hand, he wasn't in pain this way. On the other, Styx wasn't sure if he was going to wake up. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind, feeling like he was going to have a panic attack.

When the doctor came back into the room he turned around, looking up at him. He watched as he mixed some powder with water and took it into a syringe. He didn't know what it was but he trusted that the doctor knew what he was doing. He watched as Jaxien was injected with it, biting the inside of his lip. Once the contents of the needle were emptied into him he looked up at Jaxien's face, feeling like his heart had stopped when the other woke up. He clenched his hands into fists on his lap, wanting to reach out and hold the other but he had a feeling that Jaxien wasn't that kind of person. When the other's eyes finally landed on him he froze, almost feeling like Jaxien was going to yell at him.

For what, he wasn't sure, but he was expecting it. He thought he'd tell him to leave or that he shouldn't have helped him or some crap. But he didn't. He just smiled. Styx just stared for a moment before he began to smile back, his lips cracking open to reveal his teeth. After a moment he turned to the doctor, still smiling slightly. "Thank you," he said simply before he turned back to Jaxien. He reached down to brush his fingertips against his cheek, feeling even more relieved now that he could feel the other. Knowing he was tangible was a huge relief. There had been a few times out in the wasteland that he'd seen the people he'd thought to be dead and just when he thought he finally had someone again, he'd reach out to touch them and he'd go right through them. But Jaxien was there and he was alive.


[User]
Supreme Court Justice Cecilia Roberts was on what she felt was a well deserved break after declaring a final verdict on a serial murder case after working it for over a year. Able to be at peace in her home with state of the art security set in place. Knowing she was safe, and the people were safe with her as the criminal had been given three life sentences. She wouldn't have to deal with mad men, the press, or anything of the like so long as she was at home. No one could bother her in the slightest, excepting her children of course. But thankfully, they were grown up and moved out. Their pictures sat upon the mantle above the fireplace. One of them so old as to have their own children as well. Which made her proud.

Presently, the woman sat curled up upon her couch in front of the fireplace. Blinds open to allow the sunshine to warm her as well as to give natural light to fill the room. She was reading a book she had started all too long ago over again from the beginning as it had been too long for her to remember any of it. She wore a white tank top and pajama bottoms. As she had no plan of being seen by anyone that day. When she was not working, she was able to exercising more constantly as she wanted to so she could keep her senses sharp for when she did return. As well as to keep in shape in general. Her hair lay down her back all the way to her bottom, black with very rare strands of gray. It was wavy naturally, but thin. She usually had it up all the time, but today she could not be bothered. Her blue eyes stood out quite nicely next to her hair in the beams of day.

She took her reading glasses off after she heard the chime of the hour on the grandfather clock she kept. Getting up, she went into the kitchen to check the water she was boiling. Leaving her book and glasses behind. She stood waiting for the pot to whistle. Scratching her pale white arms as she pondered if she ought to try tanning as her daughter suggested. As her color always concerned her daughter that her mother might not be getting enough vitamin D.

She shook her head after the kettle chimed out it's boiling point. Turning off the heat, she pulled her teacup over to sit beside it before pouring out just enough water to satisfy her needs. Setting the kettle on a hot pad, she took her cup and grabbed a packet of tea. Returning to her zone on the couch she opened the packet and dipped the bag into the water. Right away she could smell the mixture in the steam that spun around her. She hummed in pleasure before setting the cup down to let it cool and brew on it's own. Surely there had to be enough vitamins in her daily tea as she needed. With a sigh she picked up her book and began reading again while it was still fresh in her mind.

[Assistant]
Ramon Fernando was only three when his parents immigrated from Spain. His mother had often told him many a tale about being a descendant of Spanish nobility, and from a great bloodline of noble swordsman. He was special, and should have been treated as such. Not an outcast by the socialist bastards that turned their once proud country into a mockery of its former self. Of course, these were what his mother told him when his ruined father was too drunk to abuse either one of them. Perhaps it was true about being a descendant of nobility; his father certainly acted like it, and apparently at one time had a great deal of money as well, before losing it all to the "dirty liberals and their wealth-redistribution." His father was apparently a very kind and generous man once upon a time; many intimate and happy photos suggested as such anyway. His father was the first man he killed, at the age of thirteen. In what he would later consider a great irony, he did it with the last symbol of their once upon a time social standing, a Toledo saber of Damascus steel. He didn't remember the fight, or even how the sword got in his hands. All he knew is that apparently his father had a knife in his hand, and was in one of his drunken stupors. The police ruled it a "self-defense" case, and left it alone. And he took care of his poor mother until the day she died of cancer. Such a lovely woman.

He supposed he should have recognized it even then, that he was not normal. Killing his father brought no remorse, no happiness, nor even relief. Just a feeling of satisfaction that was intoxicating. A feeling he couldn't get enough of. At first he thought it had to do with the sword, so he dedicated his life to it; he became quite the swordsman, and while he was never able to qualify for the Olympic Fencing Team for some reason or another, they gladly brought him on as a saber instructor. It was around this time that he began his sacred duels. It wasn't easy, stalking his female students, kidnapping them, and then killing them with a real sword. It wasn't like it was an unfair fight; they had their blade of choice as well, they just weren't good enough. Well, maybe the week of abuse, mental, physical, and sexual robbed them of SOME of their prowess, but he told them all they had to do was pick up the blade and fight, or stay under his care until they felt like picking it up. It's not like he cut off their limbs or broke their bones.

But then he was caught, brought before that bitch Justice Roberts and sentenced to three lifetimes. And he knew, he knew that he had found his masterpiece. There were others before, there would be others after, but she, SHE would be the one they would remember him by. Oh how he couldn't wait to get his hands on her. But first he had to escape. It was almost something out of a movie; here they were, the lone prisoner in a lone transport, locked in a straight-jacket, with a guard to make sure he tried nothing, and a guard to drive the van to his home for the rest of his life. Perhaps if they had forgone the prisoner to watch over him, he might have never been able to escape. As it was, using only legs trained their limits for great speed over short distances, he was able to give his guard a quick kick to the face and choke him to death with his legs. He had to dislocate both his shoulders, but he slipped out of the straight jacket, and was able to snap them both back into place anyway. A few kicks to the rear window, an opened car door, and a willingness to get cut and bruised on the way out, and he was free.

Really, how many people DID he have to kill to get a proper police escort? It was a quick stop to the library a search on google, a few hitch hikes later, and now here he was, a fugitive on the run, and standing outside the door of his Masterpiece. He smiled at the extent of her solitude here, without so much as a dog; she truly was made for him. He quietly placed the present on her welcome mat, a nice, freshly dead blue bird. A quick ring of the doorbell, and Ramon was gone, like a thief in the night, but still close enough to watch.

[User]
Cecilia sighed. She had no desire to get back up, least of all for the door. She knew that it could be important though. Glancing to her tea, she hoped that whatever it was wouldn't take too long that she overdid the flavoring of her drink. About to stand up, there was a sudden meowing. Her cat could be so silent at times that she almost forgot about it's existence. She gave it a smile as she found it approaching the couch. She ran her hand over the sleek fur of the black bombay as it purred before meowing again. She shook her head, he was hungry.

Picking him up, she started towards the front door first. Going out, she made her way through the maze of halls. Arriving at the tall ornate doors, she set him down before opening the door. She raised a brow as she found no one in view. No one even in the distance. _Perhaps she had just been hearing things?_ After thinking this, Charles pawed her. She reached down instinctively to pet him without looking as she was perplexed. But as she did, her hand caught around something else completely. Her hand cringed away from the texture before she looked to see what it was.

Her hand darted over her mouth in shock before she brought it back down remember that she had touched it. She pushed the cat outside with her foot with a shake of her head. "Drop it. Drop it." She told him several times. He would not however let it go. Another shake of her head, she closed the door. Going to the kitchen she washed her hands thoroughly. Lathering on soap, rinsing with hot water and repeating. Trying to be sure the stench was gone in all entirety.

As soon as she felt safe, she worked on food for the cat. Measuring out the regular portions, as she wasn't about to starve him even if he had been bad. Filling a saucer with water as well, she carried both carefully to the front door. Placing one on the ground before opening the door and moving it to sit outside. Charles tried to return indoors with the dead animal again but she blocked his way. She didn't want to even attempt to deal with him in any other way right now. Not with what he was carrying. She didn't understand it. He'd never done such a thing before. Though she knew cats did tend to bring such 'presents' to their owners, she thought she had taught him better than that...

She locked and deadbolt the door. He would have to stay outside until she decided upon letting him in since there was no cat door to speak of. He was more of an indoor cat, which is why what she believed he'd done was even stranger. He wasn't a fighter, he was lazy. She frowned as she hoped it wasn't a permanent change he made. She stare blankly at the door before giving a small scream. She'd forgotten her tea after all! She ran back. Giving the drink another sniff as she'd done before, it still smelt excellent. The taste though, wasn't guaranteed to be the same. Removing the teabag, she blew on the liquid before giving it a quick sip. Hissing as she wipe her lips clean of all remnants. She took the cup to the kitchen and began adding sugar cubes. Hoping that eventually she would be able to save the flavor in some way and not have wasted an entire cup.

[Assistant]
Ramon saw his Masterpiece step outside; the statue of raw potential, just waiting to be properly molded into art. As he paid more attention to his Masterpiece, he saw her look down at her heels, and he drew a small frown. She was not as alone as he had previously thought. Well, that was to be taken care of immediately. He could not have her thinking that she could rely on anything or anyone. She had to know from the get go that she was nothing more than breathing clay, and that he had the final say on her very existence, or even whether she would breathe in the end.

When Cecilia shooed the cat outside, he almost made a mistake; he was about to head up from his hiding place to the door when she opened it again. His blood at that moment froze; did she know? Had she found out already? But no, she was simply feeding the animal, and then leaving it outside. Well, she would probably be at it for a while, which gave him time to work. He set about, ripping a sizable strip from his undershirt, he was once again grateful to his lawyer that kept him out of those ridiculous orange jumpsuits that the law seemed to favor. Looking about one way and another to make sure that he was not being watched, he quickly walked up to the door with the little cat, and pounced.

It was over before the animal had time to scream; so engrossed between trying to decide whether it wanted bird or catfood, it's mouth was full when the makeshift noose sprang about its neck. A swift move and that neck was broken. He was about to leave when the thought amused him to hang the animal on the doorknob by its collar. He was about to knock on the door again when another amusing thought struck him; he would wait for her to decide to get her little cat, even if that took until tomorrow. So he took his hiding spot, and prepared to watch the show. As amusing as this would be, he would have to hurry.

No artist was complete without a brush, and no swordsman was complete without his blade. He would need to secure one eventually, before the authorities caught wind of his escape and alerted the general public when their low-key manhunt would produce no results. For the time being though, he would just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

[User]
Cecilia drank the tea in her cup and went a little longer reading before she fell asleep on the couch. When she awoke she hopped in the shower. It would be short and cold as she simply wanted to wake up. She had slept clean into the next day she realized. But it was all right. It was early morning, which meant she would have plenty of time to exercising, seeing as it was two am. She worked out in the gym that was kept in her basement for the most part. Sit ups, curls, lunges. Though there was not much light that shone in from the windows there. She went out on the roof to see the sunrise. Doing a bit of yoga as well before she went back down into her house. Things were all too quiet she thought. So she put a record on.

Cooking her own breakfast she savored every bite before preparing new dishes for Charles. Putting them in their normal place on the kitchen floor she left to lie down. Kicking back on another couch she let her body rest up a little as she was soothed by the tune that ran through the air. Later on, she got out a bit of knitting she'd been working on. Clothes for her granddaughter. She worked clean past lunch before she realized what time it was. 4:40pm. Too late for lunch, and a little too early for dinner she thought. Still, she needed something to nibble. Getting out crackers, she notice that both water and food bowls were full. Not a single crumb had been spread across the floor. "Charles." She made squeaking and clicking noises in order to try to lure him. "Charles!" She yelled out louder, it was unnerving to hear the echo that came off the walls.

Then it came to her. She ran to the door as fast as possible and tore it open. In doing so, the cat fell off onto the floor. She didn't scream. She covered her mouth just the same as when she discovered the deceased bird. She had never been a screamer. Her stomach curled as her hand could not decide what to do. Whether to check the small corpse or to leave it be. "Charles...?" She said in her dismay. Wanting for him to just be asleep. Covering her mouth again right after she had spoken as her voice scared her even now. She started to sob. Leaving the door wide open as she fell to her knees next to the creature. She wanted to deny her thoughts, but he wasn't moving. Not even a rise and fall of his chest could be seen. She tried to process things, and make rash sense of it. Deciding to check the food she had left out for him, she crawled across the floor. There lay everything, untouched. The bird as well, though now accompanied by flies.

She shuffled back over to her cat and finally touched him. She darted away as soon as she had. Running over to the nearby cascading stairwell. She curled up on them and just stared from afar. He hadn't eaten. He couldn't have been poisoned. There was no blood. _What was wrong?_ After seeing what she had, she wasn't sure if he'd been tossed in or not for a moment. But thinking back, she knew better. It was hanging on the door... Leaving gifts on the doorstep was one thing... but on the door handle... No mere animal did this.

When the lightbulb illuminated in her head she stood up and made a mad dash for the door. Slamming it shut before she locked it. Then she made her way over to the side of the door to open a hidden panel. Typing in a code, she activated the preliminary security system. That would only set off the alarm if any of the doors were opened. She didn't feel the need to lock up anymore than that just yet. She then lean slouched down against the wall and stare once more at her cat. Not wanting to move it in any way as she didn't trust it. She breathed deeply, trying to make logical sense of the situation.

[Assistant]
Seeing Cecilia crawl on the ground towards her cat almost made Ramon want to rush her right then and there, but that was not the way. No, no, first he had to find a way into her house, where he could begin his one true masterpiece. Smirking, he wondered if this bitch paid real close attention to his previous escapades, and grabbed a large rock, giving it an experimental heft before placing it in his pocket. Then he ran around to the back of the house, out of sight of the grieving woman as she cried out to her companion, wondering what had happened, who had dared to take a powerful woman's source of comfort. And once out of sight, he began looking for any other entrances, a balcony door, a window, anything. Seeing nothing but unwilling to meet defeat just yet, he began the long, exhausting climb up to the roof, to exhaust the last of his options before he decided to give up and try again.

Ramon made it to the top, breathing somewhat heavily; he had not had anything to eat in over twenty-four hours, barely got any sleep, and was slightly out of shape from his limited ability to exercise. Still, he pushed himself, and finally saw a roof door. Walking over, he gave it an experimental tug and saw that it was unlocked. Ramon had to roll his eyes at this; he expected this to be a waiting game of if and when he would get in the house; not an immediate victory. Still, it was just further proof that her protests were mute and false; what was coming, she wanted, clearly desired.

He opened the door and dropped in as silently as possible, managing to close the door behind him as he did. It was then he heard the door slam shut, which did much to wipe the smile off of Ramon's face. He didn't have much time. He rushed into a room as silently as possible, and found what he could only assume to be a guest room of some kind. he opened the door to the closet along the wall and then approached the window. Removing his sweater and wrapping it around his hand, he took a deep breath, then smashed it through the window. He heard a loud blaring of the alarm he expected, but didn't stop his movements. He quickly pecked some glass so that it littered the carpet and look like something was thrown in, then dropped the rock into the small pile. From there, it was a quick nose dive into the closet and a simple wait. It was a risky move on his part, but then it was one that paid off many a time. Through open slits that did little to reveal him, he waited and watched to see when she would come, and what she would do. Not that it mattered. He was in. And his canvas was almost ready.

[User]
Cecilia was not allowed to do as she desired as soon she was on her heals again with her alarm having gone off. First she stared at the door for a long time, wondering if somehow it was malfunctioning. She couldn't chance it. Before going anywhere else, she got her umbrella that had been sitting in a tin next to the door. Holding it up across her shoulder she began to make a mad dash from door to door. Checking each room one by one. When she was on her final entryway, there was a ringing. Her cell phone. She jumped halfway to the roof because of the noise. Panting, she ran to find where she had left it. At its charger. It was her security calling to check and see if she was okay as well as alert her of what she already knew. "Yes, I'm having a look right now. It doesn't seem to be anything so far." She walked back to the last room as she spoke. Kicking the door open as she kept on the phone she saw the mess. "I'll call you back." She told the person on the line and hung up. She set the phone on a small table in the hallway before walking one foot after the other into the room.

Both hands now on the base of the umbrella as she approached the window. She did a quick scan of the horizon through what was left of the window panes before bending down to pick up the rock. She wanted to pick up the glass as well to clean up the mess but it was best to sweep it up rather than touch it directly, she thought to herself. Setting the umbrella down on the floor she took the rock and lifted it up towards the window. Comparing it to the broken space, she didn't think it fit. Well it did fit, it just... she didn't imagine it was what really broke through the threshold of the glass. She was surprised anything was able to at all.

The phone rang again. Picking it up as quick as possible she stared out the window again with rock still in hand. "Yes, no I do not believe I will be needing assistance. I will notify you if I find something." She said. She didn't want to make a big thing out of nothing. Someone could have accidentally hit the rock while driving and made it fly through her window, she told herself. Though the scenario was highly unlikely, it made her feel safer than the alternatives.

Placing the rock down upon the guest bed, she was about to head out to get things to clean up when the phone rang yet again. Picking it up straight away she groaned. "I said I will call y-" She started out, thinking it was her security again. It however, was not. It was a call she was hoping never to receive. As it meant that her work was not finished. She listened carefully as she was informed of the situation. "He has escaped captivity. We have not alerted the general public yet. So we would appreciate it if you would keep it this way. We would advice that you get out, go somewhere for a while. Just to be safe until we have secured him." Her eyes stared endlessly at the rock now as she hung up. She was frozen completely still. She wasn't sure whether to run now, or stand her ground. Her body chose for her as she could not get herself to move an inch.

[Assistant]
Ramon smiled from behind the door, hearing every word that was spoken over that cell phone, every action she took, and how she was frozen in place with terror. Oh, what a delicious sight; if only he could photograph it. Still, it would remain in his mind for all time, and he supposed that was the most important thing. He slowly opened the closet door, and though he was not extra careful to be unseen, he did not draw unnecessary attention to himself either. rather, he picked up one of the larger shards of glass, and walked up right behind his Masterpiece.

"Hello, Judge Roberts. I'm here to make your darkest nightmares come true. Did you like the presents I left you?"

An arm wrapped around her waist, and the shard when to her throat. He drove the point into her flesh, pinching enough to draw blood, and enough to get the point. "I do believe they will be leaving us alone for... quite a while. So there won't be any daring rescues. And no escape attempts, no? You read the reports on what I did to the last person who tried to escape me? She tried to avoid the work. And there is much work to be done here, my dear; much work before our Sacred Duel." His tongue lapped her earlobe, wanting to taste her shivering fear.

[User]
Cecilia was about to call a cab to take her away as she didn't feel she was in a mental state to drive when she sensed him there. She didn't move until he was finished speaking, even then, she only dropped the phone to the ground. Feeling his arm go around her waist, she immediately ran her hands down to try and remove it before she felt the cold slick edge of the glass. She took a quick breath in, thinking that somehow it would help her dodge the edge. It did nothing as he pierced her skin. She breathed in even deeper than through her nose as she kept her lips sealed tight. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of her making a single noise.

His words made her hands move from his arm to reach down towards her phone, but there was no reaching it the way he was holding her. Though she knew perfectly well about the escape attempt made by one of his past victims she did not hesitate to consider the option. She thought herself wiser than them. She had no intention of staying with the mad man. She wasn't going to do a thing for him. Even if she was forced to stay. There was no way she was going to let him break her. She had a strong will, especially knowing he killed her cat.

Another quick breath was taken as she felt him at her ear. She tensed before shaking her head free of his touch. "You bastard." She whispered, as she hated using such words but could not think of a better thing to say. She struggled a bit then, to try and pry his arm off still but stopped in her tracks as she felt the glass scrape her more and more. She needed to keep herself together. If she didn't move now, she would suffer less. She needed to save her energy. "They'll come, you know they will." She warned. "Even if they don't, someone will come. I'm not unknown. I have a regular schedule. They'll notice." She went on to say in her defense, trying to shake him up, get him to make a mistake.


[User]
Darren Cole was home this day, having planned on a three day weekend with the wife and had taken the day off. However, his wife Rebecca had had to go to her mothers house for several days to help take care of her after she had had a fall, so his day shot, he decided to spend his time around back by his pool, lounging and drinking a beer. It was a lazy day for him, though he had lamented the fact that with his wife gone he was well, bored. He had had plans for them, most of which had involved the bedroom and now he was stuck on his own.

His thought began to drift to his neighbors, more specifically to Marlene, his best friend's wife. Now there was someone he wish he could have a chance with. He had, up until this point, always been faithful to Rebecca, but the sight of that short, buxom beauty next door always had him going. He wanted her and if given a chance, he didn't know if he could stop himself.

Quietly his mind went back to the last pool party they had all had together at his place, grilling while the ladies swam. His friend had lamented his wife's desire for children and Darren... couldn't believe how much of a fool he was. He distinctly remember the man telling him that as Marlene was getting out of the pool, the water dripping off those perfect breasts of hers, watching it all roll down her body. He could feel his cock getting hard and reached down to begin rubbing it through his pants. His daydream shifted and in his minds eye he pushed his friend to the side and in front of god and his wife and her husband, yanked Marlene's top off and began to suckle at those breasts that were just made to provide.

Of course the sharp sound of someone yelling, "FUCK" jolted him out of his fantasy and he looked around to make sure he wasn't caught. he wasn't, but then a moment later he realized that the voice had been Marlene's and was coming from her place. Frowning he set his beer to the side and stood up and awkwardly, thanks to his arousal, ran to go and see what was happening. "Marlene? Everything alright?" he called ahead of himself.

[Assistant]
Marlene was considering going back in the house and phoning her husband. Although chances are his phone wouldn't even be on---she didn't really know what he got up to during the day every time she tried to ask him about his job he just told her that he was a manager and it was really boring and that was about it. In many ways that seemed to sum it up their marriage, Marlene didn't ask questions and well, Mark, her husband didn't give anything away.

The sound of her name being called in that un-mistakable voice caused her to jump a little bit. Her hand moving to her lips. She definitely didn't realize how loud she swore. "Oh, Darren.." She said feeling a little bit silly, but still shooting a rather pleasant smile towards him. Marlene and Rebecca were as close as Darren and Mark were and thus all of them became friends. He was gorgeous, simply stunning to the point where she always had to watch herself drinking around him for fear of subconsciously flirting with him. Marlene was faithful, despite being a slut during her college days but that didn't stop her from looking.

"Can you believe it, they just left it here, what am I meant to do with this!" She said as she moved around the side of the table, leaning over it and trying to grab the sides. The angle showing much more of her breasts than she intended too; a single bead of sweat running from her collar line down in-between her cleavage. She tried to lift it again, albeit in a very unconventional way and she definitely wasn't lifting with her back. A strained groan of frustration came from her lips before she gave up, standing back to full height and rubbing her hands together as they ached---she wasn't made for manual labor. "Say... Darren, you don't think you could help me with this do you?"

[User]
"Hey Marlene," Darren greeted her, trying to angle himself so that his arousal wouldn't be too visible as he made his way up to her front porch to where the large bit of furniture was sitting. He couldn't help but smile around Marlene, she was a woman that invited fond looks and smiles and frankly Mark, as much a he loved the man, didn't know what he had. However, as he heard the situation that the delivery people left her in he frowned. "Assholes. The least they could have done is finished bringing it in..."

His words trailed off as she leaned forward and afforded him the view of her ample breasts. He took in the sight of them, especially the single bead of sweat that began rolling down between her cleavage, evoking imagery of the fantasy he had just been having by his pool. His cock cave a subtle twitch in his trunks as he thought about licking up along the trail left by that single bead before he shook himself out of it. Her request that followed had him smiling an he nodded.

"Knees, Marlene, you've got to use your knees when you lift or you'll hurt your back. And of course, Marlene. I'll help you out. Just get the door for me and direct me where you want it." He flashed her a charming smile before stepping up to the piece of furniture and squatting down just a bit so that he might pick it up. It was a strain, even for him, but he was known to keep in good shape with a mixture of strength training and running and the strength training really came into help here as he hefted up the large, heavy wooden piece. "Where to?"

[Assistant]
"You're a life saver." Marlene said softly under her breath with a pleasing smile that showed a bit of teeth. Darren was literally a knight in shining armor coming to her aid she took another step back, and twirled on the spot to face the door moving to keep it held open from the inside. Her plump bubble rear bouncing with each sauntering step.

"Just in there please." She pointed with her free hand to the open door directly to the left of the entrance which lead into the study. She couldn't stop her eyes from wandering however as they definitely noticed the bulge at Darren's crotch. It looked... bigger, like there was some semi-hard rod curled within it. It was unmistakable that he was at the very least nursing a semi. Her eyes quickly darted back to meet his eye line, the pleasant smile faulted for a second before returning as her mind suddenly drifted to what it would look like if he just dropped his pants there and then.

She pushed the thoughts out of her mind as quickly as they came, ignoring the fact that her body reacted to it on it's own, that desire to be impregnated simply by getting horny. "Gosh, you're so strong." She said jokingly as she watched him pick it up. "Just in the center of the room if that's okay Darren?"

[User]
_And you are a goddess who should be worshipped._ Of course Darren didn't say it out loud, but the look he gave her that lingered over those luscious curves and rested upon that plump rear spoke volumes to what he was thinking. She looked to be made for bearing children and yet somehow Mark avoided it. What a god damned fool.

He shook his head at his friends lack of awareness and followed Marlene's instructions, taking the large desk to the study with a slow and steady gait that did nothing to diminish the semi-hard nature of his cock, since he was following the most beautiful ass in the neighborhood. When she said the center of the room he nodded and settled the desk there and then let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and leaned back against it, turning to face Marlene.

What he didn't realize is that this position served to once more display his arousal to her. Her comment about his strength had him chuckling and he said, "Well lifting helps that." He flexed an arm to show off a muscle in a flirtatious manner. "That thing was heavy, really should have been done by the delivery guys... I can't believe they would abandon a woman in need..."

He took a moment to rest, his eyes settling on his sexy neighbor and she just had an aura about her that invited sex and he wanted to say some very dirty things to her, but instead asked softly, with perhaps a bit of cheesiness behind the thought, but secretly wishing she would say there was, "Anything else I can do for you, Marlene?"

[Assistant]
Marlene would have been lying if she said she was looking anywhere other than were she wasn't supposed too. Those blue eyes of hers followed Darren as he lifted the table up and carried it into the exact spot she wanted it. Taking in the definition of his muscles that seemed to almost bulge with the weight of the desk itself. Hidden away from view she involuntarily licked her lips as if she was a predator stalking her prey, or some needy slut allowing her body to dictate what she craved. His words snapped her out of her trance, as she blinked and raised her vision to the back of his head. "I know, I'm half tempted to complain." She wouldn't---she couldn't be bothered with the whole hassle; but still she was reminded that without Darren and his help that desk would've been outside until at least her husband returned home.

And then her gaze drifted again---in her head she thought that he was doing it on purpose, the way he leaned back against the desk, that bulge showing more and more prominently and fuck it looked like a monster, she could tell that he was deliciously thick and could only imagine what those full baby making balls looked like; her nipples poked through the fabric of the thin crop top she wore visibly, not that she could stop them in anyway. What worse is this time she was obviously looking at his dick, she stammered a bit, faking a cough to avoid detection before looking back at him, fighting the urge not to let her eyes drift again.

"No I think that's it thank you Darren." Her hand moved up her body, gently caressing the nook of her neck and shoulder. "It's warm." She muttered to herself before using that same hand to fan her face. "You want a drink or something? Least I can do." She said with a smile, not really waiting for a response before turning and moving into the kitchen that shared the same space as the rather nice living room. She couldn't help swaying her perfect for child bearing hips as much as she could.

"So, how's Rebecca?" She asked, opening up the fridge and taking out two bottles of beer before taking them over to the counter. She had a trick for opening them, using the corner of the marble surface she rested the edge of the cap and then used the bottom of the other bottle to pop them open rather effortlessly, repeating the process for the other one and then placing Darren's down for him to take if he wanted too.

[User]
"You should, a man who doesn't finish the job is no man at all," Darren said, ostensibly about the movers, though it could easily enough be extrapolated out to other topics, like a husband who bed his wife, but doesn't get her with child or other such idle thoughts.

He smiled as he noted her gaze drift and linger on his manhood, trapped by his pants and his gaze drank in her hardening nipples eagerly. While making sure she was watching, he carefully and deliberately adjusted his cock in his trunks, making sure it rested more comfortably. His eyes never left her as she coughed and then passed off the flush in her cheeks off as just the heat. "Yes, very hot, do you mind?" He then tugged off his t-shirt and threw it over his shoulder as he followed her into the kitchen.

He wasn't shy about drinking in the sight of her swaying, child bearing hips, his mind drifting over the thought of what it would be like to hold them in is hands as he took her in every which way possible. When the beer was produced and the ease with which she undid the cap, he couldn't help but think how perfect Marlene was. "Thank you, Marlene," he said as he accepted the bottle and brought it to his lips for a drink.

The question about his wife brought a frown to his face and he said, "She's out of town. Mother had a fall so she's taking care of her. We were supposed to spend the weekend together. Guess it turned out to be a good thing, I was able to come and help you, Marlene." He took another swig of his beer and asked, "How're things with Mark?"

[Assistant]
Marlene couldn't help but brush off his comment about getting to spend time with her, looking away as she brought the bottle to her lips and took a quick little glug. Perhaps not as lady like as she would've preferred, it was very obvious that she was trying to everywhere but his now bare torso and it was only confirming that he knew exactly what he was doing. Marlene squirmed, her thighs rubbing together as she felt herself get wet, hiding it by placing the bottle on the counter.

His next question made her drift a bit more, in fact her normally happy features became a bit sullen as she moved the bottle to the side and leaned on the counter with her elbows, jutting her ass out and showing a lot of cleavage, her attention was on her hands, primarily the wedding ring on her left ring finger. Her right hand fiddled with it, turning it ever so slightly between her thumb and index finger.

"Well... Mark is Mark." She said softly and rather matter of factly. "Busy working as per usual." A sigh left her lips as she raised up, causing those very loosely held breasts to bounce in place, now resting on the counter with her hand, the other taking another quick swig of the beer. "I dunno, things aren't really the same I guess."

Marlene was quite an open person, to an extent and she normally confided with Rebecca when they gossiped about their husbands---in a way she saw Darren as an extension to her and so felt a bit at ease letting her thoughts run. "Everything has slowed down, All I do is wait for him to come home and now that we're getting the office done out then he'll spend most of the time in there I just know it." A soft, sad chuckle came from her lips as she laughed at a thought she had. "Wish someone warned me that marriage could be come so monotonous."

[User]
Darren knew exactly what he was doing and reveled in it, reveled in the way that her luscious body squirmed, taking not of how her thighs seemed to be rubbing together. He wanted her and was pretty sure she wanted him, it was just a matter of how soon he would tip things over the edge and give them both the sweet relief they have been wanting. He was so distracted by the jutting of her ass out and the way her cleavage was displayed, that it took him a moment to realize the bit of a shift in her mood. That caused him to frown and listen intently to her, while still of course appreciating her beauty. Perhaps even more so because again he was amazed that Mark wasn't all over his wife.

"I'm truly sorry Marlene. You deserve better than that. Mark is my friend, has been for a long time, but he's missing out on someone great by being this way. If I were your husband, if I was in that office, it's because you would be in there with me," he told her emphatically. He didn't clarify what they would be doing, but his arousal was clear enough of an indicator that that desk would be getting put to the test.

Her final, sad comment and chuckle had him determined then. It seemed to be the spark he was looking for and now seemed like a perfect chance to turn this mood around... or ruin things, but he didn't think it would do that. "It doesn't have to be so monotonous. There are way to find spice in your life still." As he spoke he started to move around the island, stopping only once he was right next to her. His beer was set on the counter next to hers and he said, "You deserve happiness, Marlene... you deserve more than you've gotten." A hand came up and touched her cheek lightly in a soft, caress full of promises of more.

[Assistant]
Marlene's eyes slowly drifted upwards as he got close to her, not stopping him as he touched her cheek which would've radiated the slightest bit of heat as she let the very subtle blush flash across her face. Her heart was absolutely pounding in her chest and her pussy was going wild, like it was on fire---it was as if her entire body was begging her to grab the bull by the horns and get bred there and then. Tentatively her own hand raised to meet the hand on her cheek, gently cupping it. She couldn't help but gaze at him in the eyes.

She went to speak once, but nothing came out instead she seemed to be leaning forward, pushing herself up on the toes of her feet to be closer to him, completely transfixed in the moment. What she really wanted to do was grab his crotch and kneading that heavy cock and balls he had been openly teasing her with, to get on all fours and get him nice and hard with her tits and mouth before letting him abuse her needy cunt. Instead however she looked almost innocent.

Finally the words came out. "Darren... we can't.." She all but whispered. But she didn't move away, and let her lips slightly ajar inviting him to take things as far as he wanted too.

[User]
The blush produced upon Marlene's cheeks had Darren smiling slyly and he stepped up into her, pressing his athletic body against hers, his bare chest squishing against him even as he he took advantage of her leaning forward. Her lips, so inviting and open called to him and as his head descended that he could capture those lips with his own, he murmured to her, "We can... we will..."

A hand settled on the small of her back and finished pulling them together as his lips found hers in a heady, passionate kiss. His thick cock, hard and contained by his trunks pinned between them was slowly ground against her as he rocked his hips against her in a wanton display of what he wished to do with her, the effect that she was having upon him. She drove him wild and he wanted nothing more than to take her again and again, just to show her what she should be getting.

His free hand snaked down over her plush rear and began to squeeze it, fondling it with open desire and using his grip on it to tug her into him more firmly against his fabric covered member. Moaning into the kiss he shifted around that he might gain a bit of leverage for his grinding against her by placing the island counter behind her.