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Brenna Anderson

The sun beat down on closed eyelids, searing the imprint of her cornea against them. A low groan slid across her vocal chords as she rolled over on to her side, an arm flung up to cover the bright light from her lidded vision. Something tickled her face as she moved to her side and with a loud sigh; she rubbed the sleep from her eyes before fighting to open them up. She felt dirty…sweaty…nightmares again, she would guess. From time to time they still came in the night and wreaked their havoc on her dream cycle. It was something she would probably have to live with the rest of her life. It took a few moments for her to see, and when she did, all she could see was an ocean of green. There were those few seconds between waking and sleep where it was nothing but constant confusion. At first she didn’t realize what was going on. Where she was. Then it hit her. It was grass. Again. It had happened again.

“This can’t be happening…”

She had gotten away from him; away from the stress he had caused her. That was supposed to fix it, fix these black outs she’d been having. But no, here she was again right in the middle of one, or at least at the tail end of one. As she got her bearings, she sat up. Her pale hair was tousled messily, leaves and dead twigs sticking out unceremoniously so that she looked like some kind of wild woman. Her pale skin was smudged with dirt and mud, but thankfully there was no blood. Not this time. Thank whoever was out there for small miracles. Unfortunately her skin was the only thing she was wearing.

Dull hazel eyes slid across her surroundings. Trees. Brush. A park maybe? Were there even any forests around here that were out of the city? She sure hoped so, because the last thing she wanted right now was for some nice family, out for a picnic, to come traipsing along to find a naked chick in the middle of their hike.

Okay, Brenna, think. From the fact that the sun was pretty much right above her, she’d put the time about 11 or noon. So…only ten hours or so until it was dark. Great. So she just had to hang out here, in the park or wherever she was, naked, for ten hours. It was probably a good thing she hadn’t gotten a job yet, because this would put a serious damper on making it in to work. She shielded her eyes as she looked up at the trees. She had spent her youth hiding in the tall behemoths of the forest, trying to stay away from her parents. It had never really worked since their back yard had two trees and the rest of the neighborhood was residential. They always found her, but she had been really young when that happened. She never thought outside of their little house.

The sunlight stung her eyes and she could almost feel her pupils closing to tiny pinpricks of black in a sea of brownish green. Lately her eyes had been so sensitive to light and to dark. She had to blink a few times to get the spots out of her vision before finding that perfect one.

She pushed herself up, brushing grass off of her, though where she had been lying there were still little bladed imprints on her skin. “Alright, Bren, you can do this. It’ll be a little scratchy but you’ve survived worse, right?” Sometimes talking to herself helped. It was only scary when she answered back. A tree with branches that were close enough to reach. Being 5’5” was pretty standard for a woman, but it still wasn’t tall by any means. Even now she had to jump up to grab on to the branch. That was easier than she thought it would be. In fact, she could probably have grabbed the next one up and it had to be at least another two feet. At least it made the whole climb easier. She just kept going until she was out of immediate eyesight of anyone that might come along but she could still see the ground. Of course this could all have been for nothing. This could be a deserted or barely traveled bit of land and she could have walked around here for days without being discovered. Only…nine hours, forty-five minutes and she would find out for sure.

July 21, 2010 04:52 pm

Brenna Anderson

Darkness fell, finally. The muscles in her legs and arms cramped and screamed their pain to her. It turned out that it was all for nothing anyway. Nine hours she had sat on this branch and she had not seen one single solitary person. Her stomach grumbled it’s disapproval. She remembered a time she could go for days without eating and now she ate more than most men. So, going all day without a meal was torture to her tummy.

She moved slowly, ignoring the ache that threatened to seize up her limbs as she made her way down the tree she had been ‘hiding’ in. She let out a grunt of pain as her feet finally made contact with the grassy underbrush, form buckling under her own weight as she fell down to the forest floor. Slowly she massaged her calves and thighs back in to working order so she could find her way home. That term was, of course, used rather loosely as for now her home was a cheap motel on the outskirts of town just like some bad country song. She thought before that she would only stay there until she was able to get a job…but now? With these episodes? How could anyone trust her to work for them. How could she trust herself?

“Okay, Bren…which way do we go now?” Seeing as she had absolutely no idea where she was, she’d have to trust her senses. That meant it should only take an hour or two before she got completely lost. The sun had just set over that way…so…it was only logical to think that’s the way she should go. ‘Go west young man’ was also appropriate for girls too, right? Right.

While this place was relatively quiet during the day, it seemed to come to life at night. Crickets played a symphony that was accompanied by the hooting of owls in the dark. The breeze through the trees became the wind instruments. She was feeling awefully poetic for someone that was running through the forest naked in the beginning of the night. But, it couldn’t be helped. She had started to enjoy night even more so than the day, where she used to be terrified of it and what came with the dark. Right now it was distracting her, though, so she had to force herself to focus. West, we were going west, Brenna. “Maybe I should go see a doctor. Hey doc, sometimes I black out for hours and maybe even days at a time. Sometimes I even wake up bloody. Do you have a pill for that?” Yeah, right. They’d toss her in the loony bin faster than the roadrunner on crack.

She caught a scent on the wind. Burnt rubber…gasoline…asphalt. A road! It had to be nearby. She turned her direction slightly towards that smell. If she could just follow the road then maybe she could find someone to help her. As much as she hated the idea of asking someone for help, she knew when she needed it.

July 22, 2010 01:54 pm

Ceuca

Ceuca was riding down the road, the wind in his hair as his bike was screaming as fast as it could, his wings and hair trailing behind him. He was wearing his customary shades and trenchcoat. He felt at ease on his bike. And yes...he was riding, more to lose himself in the wind and the freedom of riding. The freedom of doing his own thing.

Yes. He was, let it be said, not your average angel. If indeed there WAS such a thing. And no, he was sure there wasn't.

Even so, he didn't feel alone, almost as if somebody, or something was around. But before he could act on the thought, the bike pitched, throwing him off, then crashing against the trees and catching light. Getting up, he muttered then screamed at the sight of the bike.

July 22, 2010 02:38 pm

Clare OCasey

It had been a long day, and Clare could already tell that the night was going to be even longer. Her day had been spent cleaning out her rooms back at Abraxas, and then going out and getting a bit of work done for a nice couple that sold fruit at a small stand on a nice corner on the street. They didn't often pay her, but Clare wasn't quite in it for the money. They provided her with food sometimes and would also give her shelter on certain occasions whenever she seemed to need it. The best thing about them was that they didn't ask questions about her. They never questioned what she was doing out in the early hours of the morning, waking them up to sneak into the shelter unsuccessfully.

Then, after giving them most of her day and basically enjoying herself, she had to scout the forest, looking for any type of creature that might've been a threat to her or her home. Her wolf form was skilled with slinking through the underbrush, staying silent as she ran around the perimeter of the trees, and scouted near and around her hidden cave that was like one of the many places she had to stay.

When she had been a wolf, she had smelled another. A trespasser. Granted, there were many other wolves and creatures that roamed these woods, but this one had been close to her home. And she did not recognize the smell, she could not name the smell that went with the person. That could only mean that it was a new wolf in the forest, and that was something that Clare almost groaned at the thought of. New wolves could be... bad. Dangerous. She knew that from plenty of past experiences, ones that even stretched back to when she was staying with her parents. And a new wolf would be even more dangerous if it didn't have control over the beast within. She felt sympathy for a human who had to deal with that.

Clare was now in a taxi that smelled a bit of stale crackers. She wrinkled her nose for about the ten hundredth time as she sat there, listening to the crappy music that was coming through the stereo from the taxi driver was playing. He was also attempting to speak with her, and though she was replying with kind smiles and nods of her head, she really was just too tired to be worrying about carrying on this conversation.

Her pale blue eyes were glued to the window at her side, and suddenly she stiffened in her seat, her hands gripping the passenger seat in front of her. Her nails gripped the material slightly as she spotted a movement in the trees. Oh no, she thought, hoping desperately that this was a human who was simply lost. She looked up towards the sky, seeing the clouds beginning to rumble in, and she could almost sense the storm from the restless creature within her. She blinked and then tapped the taxi driver's shoulder.

"Stop, please. I want to give this person a ride, thank you. Hold on one second, I'm sorry."

Clare leapt out of the taxi as soon as he stopped in the gravel on the side of the road. She then made her way quickly over the grass that was starting to dew up and become slick. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail but her bangs drifted in her pale eyes. Her short stature of a couple of inches over five feet tall made it seem like she might've been a weak woman. But there was so much power behind her motions as she went towards the woods. She stopped though, a ways away from the figure there, and called out.

"Hello?! Anyone in there? It... looks like a storm's coming. Do you need a ride?" she called, hoping that someone would answer. A human, would answer.

July 22, 2010 02:52 pm

Brenna Anderson

Somewhere in the distance the sound of a crash focuses her attention, the smell of burning rubber as tires catch and slide along the pavement. It wasn’t a long attention span, though, as she hears the sound of a car stopping not too far from where she had been walking. Keep to the road, you’ll find your way home. Maybe. She stopped, stood still, and hoped that she wouldn’t draw attention to herself. You never know who was going to show up in the middle of the night in a secluded area. She’d met those kind of people before. Being invisible would have been great right about now.

A female voice. The sound of her sigh of relief was loud even to her, but then again she was close to it. That’s when the scent hit her nostrils like a van hitting a brick wall. Now, Brenna had never really paid attention to what people smelled like before unless they had a crap ton of perfume or musk on. But this time was different. This wasn’t some manufactured smell that they packaged up nicely in an expensive bottle.

There was…wildness…to that scent. Now, if you asked Brenna how she knew what wildness smelled like, you would just get a blank stare. But right, now, at this moment, she knew exactly what that meant.

And something inside of her seized up momentarily, just like her legs had done earlier, like a dog raising it’s hackles. She just chalked it up to the fact that it was dark out and she was scared. Taking in a few deep breaths, she slid along the trees until she could see where the voice was coming from. Her head peaked from behind a tree. The woman was about the same height as her, though Brenna might have been a few inches taller. Where Bren’s hair was pale, the other was dark. Eyes opposite as well. Dull hazel eyes that were closer to brown than green peered out from pale skin, her recently thinning body hidden safely behind the confines of the trunk.

Her husky voice, deeper than what one would expect to come from the light woman, pushed it’s way past her lips. “Actually…if you had a shirt or something…that would be great.” The offer of a ride was appealing, but first things first.

July 22, 2010 03:20 pm

Clare OCasey

Clare waited patiently for a response, having the strongest of patience whenever she was trying to help out someone. But she was on edge, the muscles in her body tightening all over as a very familiar scent hit her nose. An animal's scent, a wild animal's scent. Clare instantly knew that this whole situation could be dangerous, especially if this was the new wolf she had been smelling earlier. From what her mind was connecting up at the moment, she was making a correct assumption. It was something she didn't judge upon, however. Maybe this woman was confused, maybe she wasn't rabid and maybe she wouldn't attack Clare. Either way, Clare could handle a new wolf. She just didn't want to have to.

Clare instantly let her pale eyes flicker towards where the husky voice was coming from. She blinked, and the words coming from the voice confirmed her suspicions. It wasn't just anyone that walked around the forest at a time like this, without clothing on. She understood well the awkwardness of being in that situation, especially when others come up and catch someone in that situation. But, once more. Clare was never one to judge someone, especially if this woman was like her.

She was thankful that the night had been chilly, otherwise she knew she never would have worn a jacket. She unzipped the large hooded sweatshirt, and then she took a few more steps forward, holding out the sweatshirt cautiously, speaking in calm, even tones. Tones that she knew would not cause panic, in a human or a creature. "I have a jacket right here," she said in her Australian accent. Her voice ran smoothly from her lips as she held the jacket closer, so the woman could reach without being exposed to a stranger.

"I'm not going to hurt you... I just saw you and figured that a ride wherever you're going will be more efficient than walking there, in the forest at night, in the rain," she said, smiling lightly, in a welcoming fashion. Then, she looked back towards the seemingly impatient taxi driver. Oh, he was going to charge her more for this, but that was okay. Clare could deal with it. She turned her gaze back towards the woman, speaking once more.

"There's also a blanket in the backseat... I can grab that, if you need it as well," she told her, nodding her head as she waited for a response. Hopefully this woman wouldn't be frightened and run. That was the last thing Clare wanted when she was simply trying to help.

July 22, 2010 03:33 pm

Brenna Anderson

She could feel that apprehension that seemed to be brewing inside of her lessen as she spoke, quite literally like someone stroking a growling dog. Her moods had been so all over the place lately that she wasn’t surprised, really, that she was reacting so strangely. Even though this stranger offered help, there was still a part of her that wanted to stand ground. To declare her independence and her territory. But that was silly. She didn’t own these woods and the other female was doing nothing but try to be helpful. Bren took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Breath in the good, breath out the bad. At least her social worker had been good for one thing, and that was learning how to deal with unusual or stressful situations.

Brenna gave the woman a grateful smile as she reached for the jacket carefully and then slid it on. It was nearly zipped up to her neck, her hands now free to tug at the bottom to make sure it covered…well…her bottom. “Yeah, I was out walking and let’s just say I had a few very unfortunate series of events happen to me.” Well, that was mostly true.

Now that she was mostly covered she managed to step out from behind the tree, hoping the shade of night would help to hide the scars on her thighs. It was one of the reasons she hated being undressed, even just alone. She hated those physical reminders of what had happened to her in her life and the questions they brought. At least most strangers didn’t ask questions like that when they first met someone…especially in unusual circumstances. “Yeah. A blanket would be great. Otherwise you’d have to ask for a reduced cab rate for supplying the driver with some entertainment…”

She couldn’t help the little smirk that tugged at her lips. Yes, humor was a coping mechanism, but it was one that she gladly welcomed. It was better than becoming a blubbering mass of uselessness. She’d given that up when she was ten or eleven years old. “If you could just drive me to the next town, that would be great. Then maybe leave your name and address so I can pay you back for the cab ride and everything. You know…after I find my pants…”

July 23, 2010 02:36 pm

Clare OCasey

Clare could tell that this woman was some sort of creature. A wild one at that, but she wasn't one to make assumptions about a person's personality based upon what might be inside them, or what might be a 'curse' to them. No, she knew how it was, especially since she was one that threw people off whenever they saw her other form. Her wolf did not fit inside her frame whatsoever, but she would not change it for the world, what she was. The process would've been avoided, however, if she could have. Without the jacket, she was revealed in a tank top, the weather not bothering her at all. Her exposed torso sections, her chest, her shoulders, her upper arms, and her upper back were littered with scars. Circles, incisions, burns, all sorts of things. There was more scarred skin there than there was normal, smooth skin. Clare wasn't phased by them, so used to having them that it was normal to her. Whenever others noticed, however, it was their reactions that caught her attention. They weren't always of the pleasant kind.

Pale eyes refocusing, Clare looked towards the woman as she removed herself from the cover of the tree. A small smile appeared on her lips as she nodded to what little information the woman gave her. Clare understood that she was a stranger, that it was none of her business. She wasn't about to intrude on what the woman's personal life was. Despite how strong her killer curiosity was, which was very strong. A laugh came from Clare's lips however, at the bit of humor the woman used to lighten the situation. An appreciation for her grew in Clare at that moment, especially since she used the same type of thing to cover up certain emotions. Humor was very powerful.

"Alright, well I'll be right back with the blanket. And if you'd like, we can merely go to my place. I could have a pair of sweatpants for you, and if you're hungry, I've plenty of food," she said, nodding before turning around and jogging back up towards the impatient cabbie. She jerked open the back door, grasping the blanket in her hands and hoped to herself that she was making the right decision with her offerings made towards this woman. She was trying to be kind, of course, but she also did not want her to be out by herself. Especially if she was what Clare thought she was. She wanted this woman to be away from people, innocent people. Though, she did not have to be direct about her motives, did she?

Clare jogged back, holding the large blanket in her arms, and then cracked a smile as she held it out for the woman to use. "I'm Clare O'Casey, by the way. And no, I'm not Irish," she said with a cheeky grin, her Australian accent too strong for most people to assume that, but a lot of people had. Simply by the last name, she'd had plenty of people ask about her 'Irish descent'. Which, of course, was nonexistent. She waited patiently, allowing the woman to get herself situated, but did not stare or observe her too long. She did not want her to feel uncomfortable, or more uncomfortable than she was already feeling.

July 27, 2010 01:42 pm

Brenna Anderson

She would have liked to say no to the offer, she wasn't hungry. She didn't need any charity. On most days she would have responded as such. But today...today was different. These episodes were getting worse and she needed to figure out what to do with a clear head, something that is hard to have when you are relatively homeless, have no money and starving. So maybe, just maybe, she should let this woman help her. As she seemed to be teetering on the edge of her decision, she saw the scars. Instead of freaking out, asking questions or just trying to avoid looking at them, she let out a soft sigh and then visibly relaxed. She knew what it was like to have scars and the fact that Clare had them as well made her more comfortable...if one could be comfortable in this situation.

She thankfully grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her lower body, tying it like a sarong in place so that she was sure not to flash anybody. She'd already done enough flashing for one day. "Yeah, I wouldn't have guessed Irish. I was thinking...African?" She grinned, mostly to herself and then came out from behind the tree, as ready as she would ever be. "I'm Brenna. Brenna Anderson. Going to your place would be great. I could literally eat a cow right now. The whole thing. Raw."

Brenna, who had spent most of her life cowering in the corner, had been feeling more self assured in the last few months. Stronger, mentally and physically. Maybe it was that new found strength that led her to walk to the car. Maybe it was the fact she was feeling pretty much at ease with Clare. Maybe she just wanted to get some food. Whatever the reason, she slid in to the back of the cab, clicked in her seat-belt and waited for her traveling companion.

August 03, 2010 12:03 pm

Clare OCasey

The curiosity was simply pulsing in Clare's mind. She could only assume that this woman was the creature she had smelled earlier, but her assumptions about those sorts of things had been rarely wrong in the past. Her gut was telling her that this woman was a new wolf, one who probably didn't quite understand what they'd gotten into or had thrust upon them. Clare didn't know this woman's story, or how she'd come to be, but maybe she would find out. Then again, even if she didn't, it wouldn't bother her completely. She wasn't nosey, she knew where her place was. If this woman wished to share nothing, or to lie right to Clare, she wouldn't take offense. There was no reason for this woman to trust her at all.

Looking down while the woman got comfortable with the blanket around her waist, to give her a bit more privacy, she grinned at the joke. "I've never heard one like that before!" she said, laughing softly to herself and finally turning her pale gaze up from the ground to look at the woman who'd been behind the tree. Upon hearing that the woman could eat a cow, Clare wasn't surprised. A rueful grin placed itself on her lips. "Nice to meet you, Brenna, despite the circumstances. And I dunno about a cow... but I've got a deer back at home."

Clare grinned, almost as if it were to be a joke. Thing was, it wasn't a joke, she honestly had a couple of deer back at her home, if her feline companion hadn't gotten into one of them, anyways. Shaking her head at that thought, she marched her way back towards the car and slipped in as well, putting on her seat belt, though there was hesitation there. Simple, plain hesitation that lasted only a moment or two, and was only noticed by those paying attention. "Thank you, sir. You can take me to my destination now," Clare responded, nodding to him in slight respect before leaning her head back against the seat.

The dark circles set into her pale complexion were easier to see and more defined in the dim light of the taxi cab. Glancing over towards the woman, Clare managed to tilt her head for a slight second and then look back towards the taxi driver. She was going to ask about the woman and her condition, but with the driver there, she tried her best to avoid it. "So, how long have you been in this city?" she asked casually, though normally, the woman hated small talk.

August 03, 2010 04:35 pm

Brenna Anderson

"I really hope it's dead already. I'd hate to have to kill your pet for dinner." She said this with a small grin before settling down.

Brenna sat back against the seat, the length of the day wearing down on her like weights on her shoulders. She understood the expression before, but now she really really got it. Her head sank back against the headrest, arms crossing over her stomach as if she were hugging herself. Depressed? No. Tired, hungry, confused and annoyed were more like it. Annoyed, of course, at herself. At the fact that she couldn't seem to control these things that kept happening around her. Annoyed that if she were to go to a doctor she would be put in a padded room. So...for now...she just let out a deep sigh and closed her muddy eyes.

Of course she wasn't sleeping, far from it. Despite fatigue, she was more awake than she cared to be. Maybe a little small talk was just what she needed for now. It had been long, probably too long, that anyone had actually talked to her like a human being. It was refreshing to say the least, even if it didn't last.

"A week...two, maybe. I'm not sure really. Time is kind of funny like that, you know? If you don't have any reason to know what day it is, what time it is, you kind of lose track of it all." That was a much better reason that saying something like 'Oh, I don't know. I think I black out for one..two...maybe even three days at a time. Weird, huh?"

"I came here to get away from a guy. You probably know how that is." That was more information than Clare had asked for, but for the sake of conversation she was giving it away for free.

August 04, 2010 09:19 pm

Clare OCasey

"A deer would never make a good pet in my household," Clare shot back with a bright smile, shaking her head, knowing that the words held more of a meaning than the woman beside her probably realized.

Clare then pondered what Brenna said about time, and knew that this woman had an idea of what she was talking about. Clare understood completely, and nodded to comply. It was true, she knew what it was like to have the days blend together, to have months seem to fly by like minutes, or a day to feel like a whole year. It all depended on the circumstances, it all depended on everything around her. Clare found time to be a very tricky, very interesting subject. But it was one she didn't quite want to discuss at the moment.

Clare then turned her pale gaze towards Brenna, watching her with a slight caution. She didn't want to make assumptions, and she didn't know if she should push the seemingly tender subject. She turned her gaze from where it had fell in her lap, and then she smiled softly. "I do actually understand. I came here for that reason, to an extent. It was a small part of my traveling here," she said, holding her index finger a slight distance away from her thumb. A grin swept over her lips for a moment before she looked towards the taxi driver, who was asking her where he was to turn.

"Turn left up here, and go straight until you hit the large building on the right," she said with a nod, smiling a bit and then looking back to Brenna.

August 06, 2010 02:01 pm

Actives (36)	Fresh Blood (6)	View All	The Fallen (5)	Graveyard
Gabriel Salvador, Ellenor Serona Fayre, Tsukikage, Blue Orchid, Guinevere, Topaz, Elizabeth Marie, October, Gidieon, Kimiko, Kaitlyn Swan Allen, Zoey Bates, Reese Knoxx, Nines, Killian, Cassidy Brady, Kiernan Tigra, Cristina Scabbia, Julian Montgomery, Regginea MacFowlen, Julianna Silverblade, Logan Stonewall, Skylar Knoxx, Riley Scabbia, caitie, A J Stephens, Jasmina, Akinori Kasumi, Oriana, Sheila Atwater, Sable_, Ceuca, Harlowe Jayne Farris, Jordan Allen, Jenna Moonlight, Noble E Flux	Leni Marth Bluw Narcissa Charlene JoceIyn		Wyeth DeWynter Alysha Yuuki Phareaux Chelle Rae